Former record label executive Cristy Barber is coming out in support of SOJA who won best reggae album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday. Barber took to instagram to commend the group on their first win and acknowledged it was her support that helped to get them the win.
She posted a picture of her posing with members of the group with the caption, “It was such an HONOR to work this record with my @sojagram Boyz 
@elliottlharrington @
It’s been a minute since we’ve been chipping away at this and now, FINALLY the win! #superproud #GRAMMYs #
The Grammys’ voters choice for Best Reggae Album has been met with social media backlash from Jamaicans including Bounty Killer and Grammy winner Beenie Man, due to the non-Jamaican group’s win.
Hot 97 program director Ebro has also chimed in expressing oblivion with the selection via twitter.
Wait…. Who won Reggae Band for the Grammy’s?
— the Old Man Ebro (@oldmanebro) April 4, 2022
Barber addressed several matters relating to the Grammys in a lengthy rant on The Bim Show with Bambino and Jade on Fyah 105 early this morning.
Although her support for the predominately white group’s win is clear, she explains that artists have an obligation to think about the Grammys early if they wish to win. “When it comes to the Grammy process you need to start thinking about this if it matters to you when you start recording,” she said.
For persons wondering what is the claim to fame for SOJA and other American reggae bands, she says “These bands are selling more in America that reggae artist in Jamaica.”
SOJA is known to perform 360 shows in 18 months spanning several countries.
The grammy nominated producer continued, “Reggae music is international music, it is the most powerful music in the world, it inspires everybody…I am a white girl, blonde hair blue eyes from the midwest in America. I am not Jamaican, I am a Grammy nominated producer.” She assuredly stated “Nobody had a problem when it happened to me.”
Having worked with Damian Marley, Supercat and Spragga Benz in the past, Barber said “I am dancehall, hardcore dancehall to the core, getting me to listen to a roots record that might me a stretch.”
“At the end of the day it’s been a long time coming that one of these bands was gonna do it, I was so happy with Gramps, so happy with Sean Paul, even what shaggy did with Spice.”
As for winning a Grammy Barber said it comes down to onw thing, getting infront of the voters. “We had a couple nominees this year that weren’t even grammy voters, you have to get in front of the grammy voters.
The US citizen and Nashville Tennessee native said, “I have been a Grammy voter for 18 years and I take that more seriously than voting for the President Of United States Of America.”
