Reggae/dancehall acts Barbee, Gramps and Mr. Vegas were among the international stars who rubbed shoulders on the dazzling red carpet at the recent Soul Train Awards, held in Atlanta, USA.
Whereas both Gramps and Mr. Vegas were nominees, female reggae singer, Bar-bee was in Atlanta doing some recording sessions and had linked up with Gramps at a Soul Train pre-party.
“Gramps said that as Caribbean people we should really stick together, so since I was already going to the event, we decided that I would be his ‘date’ for the night,” Bar-bee said, laughing and adding that “it was a lot of fun. Gramps is cool to hang with.”
Also a part of the ‘Caribbean’ contingent was soul singer India.Arie, who visited Jamaica earlier this year to receive a special Friend of Reggae award from the Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards (EMEs).
It was India who introduced the group to R&B sensation, Anita Baker, who was a special honoree at the Soul Train Awards.
“That was really a special moment. Meeting a legend like Anita Baker … just shaking her hands is an inspiration,” Barbee declared.
Another high moment for Barbee and Gramps was a chance meeting with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, who took his show, Situation Room to the awards show.
“Wolf saw Bar-bee and told her he liked her dress and then he was introduced to her as Barbee from Jamaica. Then Wolf strted talking to Barbee and Gramps right there on CNN. It was a big night for reggae,” Barbee’s Atlanta-base manager said.
Of course, it was the night on which reggae artiste Gyptian’s star was in its ascendancy as he walked away with the Reggae Artiste of the Year award.
However, for Mr. Vegas and Gramps, a member of the group Morgan Heritage and also a solo artiste, just being nominated was a very big deal.
According to Gramps, "Just to be nominated for a Soul Train Award was a great achievement. For me to be recognized for the works I've done as a solo artiste and to be among so much talent was simply amazing. It was a great night for Reggae and Jamaica. I decided to ask Barbee to go with me as an International Recording Artist as she is a great friend of mine and she was in town for her big photo shoot, and recording music so I thought it would be great to bring her to experience the Awards show.”
Mr. Vegas added, "I feel truly blessed to know that reggae is finally getting the global recognition that it deserves.”
As for Barbee, the experience, she says, was legendary. “It was an honor to be introduced to Anita Baker by India.Aire. I was very pleased with the outcome of such an elegant night, and I appreciate the opportunity to attend with Gramps Morgan."
The Soul Train Awards will be aired as a television special on November 28. Nominees in the Best Reggae Artiste category were Gyptian (winner); Damian Marley; Mr. Vegas; Gramps; Jah Cure and Vybz Kartel.
