Alkaline’s music still ‘Top Prize’ without Grammy nomination

November 26, 2021
Alkaline
Alkaline
Alkaline
Alkaline
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After the 2022 Grammy Awards nominations were announced last Tuesday, conversations among dancehall critics and supporters circulated around the absence of Alkaline from the list.

The deejay's Top Prize album, released in May, boasts one of the biggest commercial success for 2021, based on sales and streamsm, said his manager Kereena Beckford.

The 14-track album generated 1,527 units in pure album sales in the first week, which outperformed other dancehall albums released during the period. By August, it had recorded 600,000 radio spins.

"From the announcement of Alkaline's sophomore album to its official release and the ongoing criticism, we've held ourselves to an international standard whilst keeping the fans at the core of everything we do," she told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"So, when the team compiled the body of work to reflect where our talent was artistically, and meet the demands of the fans as well as stakeholders, we knew of the challenges and met them head on. It debuted at number two on the Billboard Reggae Album charts, number one on the US Current Reggae album chart and was 56th on the US Top Current Album sales chart."

Following the announcement of the Grammy Awards nominations on Tuesday, at least three bloggers took to YouTube to highlight that Top Prize did not make the cut. Many fans of the Vendetta Boss felt that the Champion Boy hitmaker was 'getting a fight'. At the same time, critics were equally busy in the comment section of the posts reminding the irate fans that the Recording Academy members are required to vote solely based upon quality, without consideration for sales and chart performance.

Beckford said that while Top Prize may not have earned enough votes for Best Reggae Album from the pool of members belonging to the Recording Academy, "reactions of loyal Vendetta fans" demonstrate that "the album remains the people's choice and his music is still 'top prize'".

"Alkaline's legacy will be judged by history. To the other players in the industry, congratulations whether or not you've received a nomination. We can't say thank you enough to the Vendetta fans for their unrelenting defence and unwavering support," Beckford said.

Meanwhile, Alkaline had no comments about not being nominated for a Grammy Award. He said he is focused on releasing new music and other investments.

"Look out for new music. A song titled Bareback produced by Sponge Music," he said.

"Work never stopped. New Rules coming to Miami in March. NFTs...yuh know me still ah meds it," Alkaline continued.

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