The soundbites that are remembered are oft fanciful. In the interim, we have had wishful thinking, chauvinistic pride and nostalgia along with some assertive action to make it a reality. Many people remember that Anslem Douglas composed the track “Doggie (Who Let The Dogs Out)” for Carnival 1998, which was covered by the BahaMen all the way to Grammy glory in 2001 in the Best Dance Recording category. International validation of our music is considered to be critical for the growth of the local music industry via sales, accolades, and media presence. “Polka Music Is Eliminated as Grammy Award Category.” New York Times.īaha Men backstage with Grammys for Best Dance Recording at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles Wednesday, Feb. “…the polka category would be eliminated, saying in a statement that it had been cut “to ensure the awards process remains representative of the current musical landscape.” To many in the polka world, that read as a kind of industry code meaning that their genre - once capable of supporting artists with million-selling hits, but long since relegated to micro-niche status - had slipped off the mainstream radar entirely.” In 2007, Trinidad Carnival Diary asked a valid question regarding a Soca Grammy category: “If they can have a nomination for Polka music at the Grammy Awards why not for Soca/Calypso?” Two years later, that question was moot! Polka was a category for 24 years with one man, Jimmy Sturr winning 18 times alone or as bandleader. How relevant is polka? A lot until recently That dichotomy can’t always be explained by logic. Over the years, it has been accused of not being culturally relevant, being “mired in the past” and out of touch with “new media” and trends among music listeners” and “for generally awarding or nominating more commercially successful albums rather than critically successful albums.” The US music industry is criticised by the same artists that utilise that industry for distribution of the music and protection of their intellectual property. The Grammy, an award to “honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position” was established in 1958, a year after the “calypso craze” in the US. Calypso did not warrant a prize in that first year. I: What do the Grammy Awards represent to us as Soca/Calypso artists? It would be in our interest to enhance the awards that we can own and be proud of. Canadians and Brits don’t mind receiving a Grammy, but their own awards seem to satisfy their achievement goals.
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