Grammy nominees Morgan Heritage praise PMVA

Jamaican reggae legends Morgan Heritage. [Photo:file/Standard]

Jamaican reggae icons and Grammy award winners Morgan Heritage, Glen Washington and Cecile are among international stars who have praised the Pulse Music Video Awards (PMVA), whose third annual edition was held on Thursday.

While Morgan Heritage band members sent their tributes via a video clip, Glen Washington showed up at the Carnivore grounds as a surprise act. Cecile, who was also in the country for a different event, praised the awards, saying it is only through such ceremonies that the music industry can grow.

“This is a very impressive thing. We support Kenyan artistes and we feel part of the awards. Make it grow to the level of Grammys. This is the way to go,” Morgan Heritage members told MondayBlues.

The veteran reggae outfit fell in love with the country two years ago after coming here for a concert. The band members even announced they would apply for Kenyan citizenship. They then acquired property in Naivasha, a tourism attraction town some few kilometres from the capital city. The group won a Grammy award last year and has been nominated for the same this year.

After winning a Grammy last year, the band kept on producing and performing in Nairobi. They appointed Mtech as their marketing team; directly in charge of monitoring their call back tones. Now, with many branding the group a Jamaican outfit with Kenyan connections, the reggae sensation has done it again. For the second year running, it has been nominated for Best Reggae Album Avrakedabra in the 60th Grammy Awards to be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City in January.

 “We are elated by the fact that there are a large number of people out there who love and appreciate our music. This is a clear indication that we are in the right direction and hope to give our fans more good stuff in future,” said the artistes

The group has, over the years, established itself as a force to reckon with, not only in reggae, but in music as a whole.

“When our music is celebrated by our fans... that is the greatest satisfaction an artiste can ask for. When your peers consider your music top of the class, it’s just humbling. These are blessings and we are grateful to Jah for giving us the guidance, health, strength and perseverance to keep spreading this message of peace, love, equality and justice for all mankind. Bless up the Recording Academy for recognising Avrakedabra," added Morgan Heritage members whose content is distributed locally by Mtech Limited and is available for Skiza.

Some of the group's tunes available on the Safaricom-run Skiza are; Tell me how come, Don’t haffi dread, Reggae night,  Down by the river, She’s still loving me, A best friend, Liberation, Can’t we get out, I’m coming home, A man is still a man, Work to do and Nothing to smile about.   

The group recorded sessions of its Avrakedabra album across four continents.

“We are proud of our association with Morgan Heritage that has allowed us to make their content available across Africa and in particular Safaricom’s Skiza platform. Everyone in the music industry acknowledges that a Grammy is the highest honour a musician can receive,” said William Chesire of Mtech.