by MPR Consulting
2016 has indeed been a whirlwind for Pele, Demar, Anthony Watson, Courtland “Gizmo” White and Kumar collectively known as Raging Fyah. Regarded as one of Jamaica’s most promising young acts, the self contained band released their third studio album “Everlasting” to rave reviews from fans and music industry alike.
Proudly the top charting album received the highest honor in music with a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album. Recorded live at Kingston’s legendary Tuff Gong Studios producer Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown (whose credits include Stephen and Damian Marley, Richie Spice, T.O.K and 2016 Grammy Award winners Morgan Heritage), Everlasting incorporates broad based influences, various acoustic subtleties, and a few guest artists, all of which displayed Raging Fyah’s established reggae identity.
In a previous release to the media, the band’s bassist/backing vocalist Delroy “Pele” Hamilton explained “Working on this album was very exciting but challenging; we wanted to stay within the context of who Raging Fyah is, but we never want to box ourselves in either,”.
Speaking on their nomination, the hard working band who spend most of the year touring intensively is taking it all in back home in Jamaica, lead singer Kumar stated “We feel honored and humbled, we are just taking it in, it feels good. It gives us a sense of accomplishment as humble musicians. It’s more than just the band, it’s the Jamaican culture, reggae culture. Being nominated is a win itself, Its going to do a lot for the younger musicians.” Coming from Edna Manley I think it changes the culture of musicianship, of the struggles we overcome. To be nominated for Best Reggae Album alongside Ziggy Marley, J Boog, Sly & Robbie, Rebelution and SOJA is a win for us, for all struggling young musicians, we give thanks, we feel really good”.
The modest singer further added “We have sacrificed so much, we give thanks to our manager Lukes Morgan, to VP Records, to Karen of MediaFyah, Malaika of MPR Consulting, all our fans that have supported us, Edna Manley college our foundation, to all the media houses that have shed light on Everlasting, to the Grammy committee, we love reggae music, the culture of reggae”
Raging Fyah’s manager Lukes Morgan “First I want to thank God for the strength, wisdom and knowledge, and I want to thank Raging Fyah for giving me the opportunity to guide their career. It’s been a lot of hard work and sacrifice for myself and for the band for just being recognized on this stage and we are so grateful”
Raging Fyah will kick off 2017 by being apart of California, award-winning reggae group Tribal Seeds”Winter Roots Tour” which will see the bands perform coast to coast throughout the United States commencing in Santa Cruz, California on January 24th, 2017 and ending March 10th in Tucson, Arizona. And an highly anticipated Grandslam 2017 tour alongside legendary UB40.
This is the full list this years’ Best Reggae Album nominations:
Sly & Robbie Presents… Reggae For Her – Devin Di Dakta & J.L
Rose Petals — J Boog
Ziggy Marley — Ziggy Marley
Everlasting — Raging Fyah
Falling Into Place — Rebelution
Soja: Live In Virginia — Soja