Set Up Shop Vol.1 Arrives on iTunes!

The Marley-owned record label, Ghetto Youths International (GYI), cements its commitment to exposing fresh Jamaican talent with the debut of Set Up Shop Volume 1.

Set for an Itunes WORLDWIDE release on February 26, the 14-track compilation features talented GYI artistes including Jo Mersa and Daniel ‘Bambaataa’ Marley, the third generation of Marley performers, Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Christopher Ellis, and Marley brothers – Stephen, Julian and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. Also featured are noteworthy collaborations from the likes of exceptional musicians: Jah Cure, Bugle, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, Akon, Tarrus Riley and T.O.K. 

The eclectic mix of artistes brings an exciting mix of themes, crossing genres from dancehall to traditional roots reggae showcasing the calibre of talent coming from the island. Heavyweights such as Stephen Marley, who has won an impressive eight Grammy awards contributes the single The Conclusion feat. Akon and Buju Banton, which will be featured on Revelation Part 2 "The Fruit of Life", the follow up album from the Grammy Award winning album Revelation Part 1 "Root of Life".

Triple Grammy winner Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley is well represented on six singles including explosive hits like; 2012 Song of the Year Affairs of the Heart and Set Up Shop. Jr. Gong also lends a new track to the compilation, Dem Neva Mek It.

Move Dem from Julian Marley and deejay Bugle is a long-awaited new track from Julian Marley as his last release was his critically acclaimed and Grammy Nominated album Awake in 2009.

Newcomer Joe Mersa, son of multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer Stephen Marley, contributes the recently released Bad So and Comfortable. Daniel Marley, son of multiple Grammy winner Ziggy Marley, showcases his moving vocals with the song Treat You Right.

Christopher Ellis, the son of rock steady legend Alton Ellis appears on collaboration with T.O.K’s Bay C on the catchy Don’t Change Your Number and is also heard on the hit End of Time alongside Stephen Marley and crooner Jah Cure. 

Singjay Wayne Marshall leads on Go Hard, a star studded collaboration with Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Aidonia, I-Octane, Assassin, Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel. The video of which premiered on American website, worldstarhiphop.com had over 3 million views in less than 24 hours. Marshall also appears on In Dependence, a provocative song with Junior Gong, Tarrus Riley and T.O.K.

Rounding out the compilation is exciting newcomer roots singer Black-Am-I who powerfully represents with Samson Strength and the well-received Modern Day Freedom.

GYI, which is owned by brothers Stephen, Damian and Julian, have put extensive work not only in developing the compilation but the artistes themselves and in the last 18 months have worked on full length albums with Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis and Black-Am-I.

Track listing

1 Set Up Shop - Damian " Jr Gong " Marley

2 End of Time - Christopher Ellis featuring Stephen Marley & Jah Cure

3 Samson Strength - Black-Am-I

4 Move Dem - Julian Marley featuring Bugle

5 Dont Change Your Number - Christopher Ellis featuring Bay C of T.O.K.

6 Affairs of the Heart - Damian " Jr Gong " Marley

7 Bad So - Jo Mersa

8 Go Hard - Wayne Marshall featuring Damian " Jr Gong " Marley , Aidonia , I-Octane , Assassin , Bounty Killer& Vybz Kartel

9 My Conclusion - Stephen Marley featuring Akon& Buju Banton

10 Comfortable - Jo Mersa

11 Dem Neva Mek It - Damian " Jr Gong " Marley

12 Treat You Right - Daniel Bambaata Marley

13 Modern Day Freedom - Black-Am-I

14 In Dependence - Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley , Wayne Marshall , Tarrus Riley , T.O.K.

The Grammy's 'Gives Fans Credit!'

The Recording Academy^® (www.grammy.com), the organization internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards^®, is launching "Give Fans The Credit" — a new campaign that will help enhance fans' discovery of new music by ensuring all music creators are credited for their work on digitally released recordings. Honorary Ambassadors who will help further awareness of this important initiative include: 12-time GRAMMY^®-winning producer T Bone Burnett; GRAMMY-winning songwriter Lamont Dozier; singer/songwriter/percussionist Sheila E; singer/songwriter Skylar Grey; five-time GRAMMY-winning producer/songwriter Jimmy Jam; two-time GRAMMY-winning producer/songwriter RedOne; and three-time GRAMMY-winning producer Don Was. Additionally, an online petition for fans to sign and further information is available at www.givefansthecredit.com. For updates and breaking news, please visit www.grammy.com and The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

"The staggering pace of digital innovation gives consumers access to more and more information, but in this case — digitally released music without liner notes — the music fan is getting less information," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "We can watch movies online with the credits included, and the same should be true for digitally released recordings. If music devices can access millions of tracks in the cloud, we're confident we can find a way to acknowledge those who created the tracks here on Earth."

Songwriters, non-featured performers, producers and engineers make significant contributions to recordings, but as liner notes are becoming less common, these creators rarely receive credit on digital music devices. Currently, the only credits consumers are generally able to see are the song title, album, and artist; but music fans should have access to additional information: the songwriter who composed the work, the producers and engineers who shaped the sound, and the musicians who brought the song to life.

The "Give Fans The Credit" campaign will address this issue on several fronts. First, music fans who want information about their favorite tracks can sign the petition at www.givefansthecredit.com. Second, the campaign ambassadors and other leaders at The Recording Academy will begin a series of discussions with digital music services to brainstorm ways to deliver more robust crediting information on digital music platforms. At the same time, The Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing^® will continue its efforts to ensure accurate data is contained within the music files.

"By engaging consumers and the industry in this effort, we seek to give music fans the rich information and content they desire," said Daryl Friedman, Chief Advocacy & Industry Relations Officer for The Recording Academy. "Discovery is a key part of today's digital music services. By knowing who wrote, produced and played on the tracks, consumers will be able to discover even more great music. This will give both creators and fans the credit they deserve."

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on YouTube, Tumblr, Foursquare, GetGlue, and Instagram.

How To Win A Grammy...

The Grammy's are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position.

 

To be nominated for a Grammy, artists must first submit their material for consideration.  This is done by the record label or a member of the recording academy.

 

Next, submissions are 'screened' by 150 screeners whose job it is to make sure the submissions have been placed in the right category (it has happened in the past that people have submitted their material, and entered the wrong category).

 

Next, first round ballots are sent to voting members who then cast their ballots.

 

Next, nominees with the most first round votes pass to the next round where the recording academy votes on the final ballot.

 

Lastly, the results!

 

As we are mainly Reggae in nature, we've included the past winners for Best Reggae Album for the past 5 years.  All of the names are familiar, and all artists kept their music 100% Reggae.  Listening to each album exposes an audience to true roots Reggae; no additives, no preservatives which leads me to the punchline:

 

We need to encourage our younger artists to strive towards the Grammy's, and accolades on that level.  While we are encouraging them, we must remind them to stay true to their roots which is Reggae.  Not Reggae with Hip Hip, or Reggae with R&B, but 100% Reggae.  There is nothing wrong with collaborations, but when collaborations become the 'new' Reggae,

they take themselves out of the running for awards such as these!  They also help to water down and destroy our industry, which in turn leads to festivals not needing 'authentic' Reggae because they can get a watered down version to satisfy the people.  This is also true of stage shows, and most importantly, music being played on the radio.  Believe it or not, the people

want and need the roots!

 

Here's a look at the past 5 Grammy winners for Best Reggae Album!  Maybe you can guess who'll be nominated for the 2012 season!

 

For more information on the Grammy's, visit Grammy's.com

 

Note:  The download links are not for entire albums, but an individual stand out song from the respective album...

 

>>> 2006-2007 - Ziggy Marley - Love is My Religion <<<

 

>>> 2007-2008 - Stephen Marley - Mind Control <<<

 

>>> 2008-2009 - Burning Spear - Jah Is Real <<<

 

 

>>> 2009-2010 - Stephen Marley - Mind Control Acoustic <<<

 

 

>>> 2010-2011 - Buju Banton - Before The Dawn <<<