Music fans on social media did not appear happy following the 64th annual Grammy Awards after Soldier of Jah Army, better known as SOJA, an all-white, Virginia-based Reggae band, took home the award for Best Reggae Album during Sunday night’s event.
SOJA won the award for their seventh studio album “Beauty in the Silence,” beating several of the genre’s most prominent artists, many of whom were born in Jamaica, home of the tropical sound, including music veteran Sean Paul who earned a nomination for his project “Live N Livin.” Queen of Dancehall Spice was also in the running. The 39-year-old singer-songwriter received her first career nomination for her debut album “10.”
The “Romping Shop” musician took to her Instagram account, where she shared several photos of her red carpet look with her 3.9 million followers. The former “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta” star reflected on the moment in the caption, telling her, “Besties don’t cry we’ve come along way.”
She then reminded readers that “I came from Homeless to this day so I’m really still very humbled and grateful, I see all your support and disappointments but you know we never give up, we back at it again tomorrow,” before signing off with love.
Aforementioned, viewers of the April 3 live event hosted by Trevor Noah were infuriated following SOJA’s win, many of whom took to their social media platforms to air out their grievances, including one critic who told the star they believed “The Grammy robbed you,” before adding, “we don’t even know who is soja.”
Another echoed, “Heights of fkry. The Grammy’s is fkry. Who even does the voting. ?? All if a nuh Spice WHY a whole bag a white man?? Heights of Fkry.”
“Where is Will Smith when you need him fi mash up do show?!” quipped a third upset fan. “This is robbery. Insulting! White boy Rasta group won beat reggae album?!! Let this be a wake up call Jamaica!!!”
Still, that didn’t stop fans from showering the “Go Down Deh” singer with words of encouragement, as many expressed how proud they were of her, including one online user who wrote, “You Are A Queen love! Regardless of an award YOU WEAR THE CROWN OF DANCEHALL MUSIC EFFORTLESSLY.”
