Koffee: The First Woman to Win the Reggae Grammy Award

January 26, 2020

Dancehall singer Koffee, winner of the 2020 Grammy award for Best Reggae Album

Newcomer Koffee became the first women to win the Grammy for Best Reggae Album at the 2020 award show on January 26. All of the previous 34 winners were male.

This year's nominees were:

Rapture by Koffee

This five-song EP by the 19-year-old female dancehall singer (her real name is Mikayla Simpson) features the title track and "Toast." She's also the youngest performer to ever receive a Best Reggae Album nomination.

As I Am by Julian Marley

The fourth album by Bob Marley's fifth-born son has earned him his second Grammy nominination for Best Reggae Album. It features collabs with Shaggy, Beenie Man and Spragga Benz, as well as the ganja track, "Chalice Load."

The Final Battle: Sly & Robbie vs. Roots Radics by Sly & Robbie & Roots Radics

It's a great idea: Jamaica's two best session groups joining together on 12 tracks employing a virtual reggae who's who of guests, including Toots Hibbert, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Luciano and Pablo Moses. Sly & Robbie won the reggae Grammy in 1998 and have been nominated 12 times.

Mass Manipulation by Steel Pulse

Steel Pulse's first album in 15 years was worth the wait. Frontman David Hinds has kept the band going since 1975 and continues to act as the conscience of reggae on songs like "Cry Cry Blood" and "Thank the Rebels" among the 17 tracks on this deep collection. Steel Pulse won the reggae Grammy in 1986 and have been nominated nine times.

More Work to be Done by Third World

The reggae hitmakers get a lift from producer Damian Marley on their 22nd album since being founded in 1973. Guests include Chronixx, Taurus Riley and Marley. Suprisingly, Third World have never won a Grammy despite nine nominations.