Reggae Fans Outraged After SOJA’s Best Reggae Album Win

Reggae fans were not happy after SOJA (short for Soldier of Jah Army) took home the 2022 Grammy award for “Best Reggae Album.” The band won the award for their seventh studio album Beauty in the Silence. The predominantly white group from Virginia became the first Reggae band with all-white members to win the award. They are also the third non-Jamaican group to win the award in the Reggae category’s 37-year history.

SOJA previously received two nominations for Best Reggae Album. In 2016, their live album SOJA: Live in Virginia copped a nomination. Prior to that, they were nominated for their work on Amid the Noise and Haste in 2014.

Beauty in the Silence was released on Sept. 24 via ATO Records. The album went on to peak at No. 2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, as well as reaching No. 34 on Billboard’s Current Albums chart.

SOJA beat out five Jamaican nominees for the honor, including dancehall artist Spice who was nominated for her debut album 10. Reggae veteran Sean Paul also earned a nomination for his album Live N Livin. During their acceptance speech, the group paid tribute to Jamaica, the birthplace of Reggae.

“We wanna thank all our influences when we were growing up. Starting our reggae band was kind of our dream and the only thing we wanted to do. And then one day people started coming to the shows,” lead singer Joseph Hemphill said. “To the founding fathers of reggae music into the island of Jamaica, you inspired us all. Give thanks. One love,” another member added.

SOJA guitarist Trevor Young performing at the Reno Knitting Factory in October 2015. (Photo by Tony Contini)

Fans react to SOJA’s win

However, the announcement didn’t really sit well with fans who took to social media to voice their frustration. “A lot of Jamaicans laughed and were flattered when Chet Hanks and Adele appropriated Jamaican culture, it opened the door for this blatant disrespect,” one Twitter user wrote.

“One thing yt ppl gon do is colonize, appropriate tf outta culture, claim it as their own and profit the f*ck outta it. SOJA winnin best Reggae album is a f**king insult,” another fan commented.

#Jamaicans and #Caribbean nationals are saying they have never heard of SOJA, the winners of the 2022 #grammy in the #reggae category.

— Did This Just Happened? (@realitycritix) April 3, 2022

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards aired Sunday at 8 PM in Las Vegas. The show was hosted at the MGM Grand Garden Arena by comedian Trevor Noah.

Written by Olan Bryant