T.O.K. grateful to get its flowers - Dancehall group revels in Grammy certificates recognition

T.O.K. is rejuvenated to reclaim its space in music, after receiving honorary Grammy certificates on Saturday.

The group was awarded for its contributions in revolutionising dancehall and broadening its international footprint through their harmonies and stage energy for more than 33 years.

"I feel great because the Grammy has always been something where the albums that are nominated are that way because of voting by peers. So it's almost like the music fraternity honouring the members of the music fraternity so it feels good. These two albums are albums that we were a part of years gone by and the recognition still stands, suh it's truly an honour," Craigy T told THE STAR. The quartet received certificates for the 2014 Grammy-nominated The Reggae Power by Sly and Robbie and Spicy Chocolate, and the 2005 Grammy-nominated Red Star Sounds Presents Def Jamaica.

Craigy T commended the work by the companies involved in putting on a "well-needed" ceremony of this nature.

"It's an amazing thing that they're doing here to go back and find these unsung heroes that have been doing the work and been providing themselves as columns for the music business for so long; to be honouring them - it's just a beautiful thing," said Craigy T.

"We big up people after they've gone a lot, so the fact that this ceremony has come around to actually search for the people who are still around and also awarded people posthumously and find those albums that they were a part of, even from the first Grammy award show so that these people can be recognised, it's a lot of due diligence they're doing and it's an amazing thing," he added. The certificates were collected by group members, Bay-C, Craigy T and Alex; Flexx was not in attendance.

The red-carpet styled event dubbed '2025 Grammy Certificate Ceremony - Honouring Reggae and Dancehall's Unsung Heroes', which took place at the Audi Showroom in New Kingston, was a partnership between music publishing companies, Back 2 Da Future Music Limited and 'The Royalty Network Inc., in association with Steely and Clevie Productions. The collaborative effort honoured unsung producers, musicians and songwriters whose contributions and musical wealth have shaped reggae and dancehall's Grammy legacy. Other awardees included Romain Virgo, Tony Rebel, Chevelle Franklyn, Dean Fraser and Anthony Malvo.

After getting the audience grooving as the group performed some of its hits, Bay-C said they do music from the heart.

"It's we just expressing ourselves and when we put it out to the world, yuh have a 50/50 chance of people liking it and accepting it or they move on to the next thing. So to have hits is already a blessing and to have hits that stand the test of times, is a whole next level of blessing," said Bay-C. "To have legends like Cutty Ranks and other acts who've inspired us from dat time and still a legend today and running the world, shows the level of longevity that's needed in the music." Bay-C also advised both up-and-coming and established artistes to "always aim to have longevity".

"Trust your love in the music and don't watch the trend that's out there because you want a hit. Because the person who create the trend, never create it by following it; he/she is a trendsetter. Suh mek yuhself a trendsetter, because when T.O.K. started and even to this day, there is no group like us," he said.

For decades, the men have remained a strong musical unit due to their shared love for the music. Alex opined that it was "through the grace of God, first and foremost". He noted that they are four different personalities who have gone through trials and tribulations, even separating a few years ago.

"The fans also did push us back together and encourage and motivate us and I give thanks for that," Alex said.

The group has already been dropping tracks, including, True Friends and No Play That. Like many local artistes/producers who are tapping into infused 90's dancehall sounds and rhythm, T.O.K., who are known for mastering that era, are doing the same. And with this year marking 20 years since Footprints, the group will be re-releasing the album Unknown Language.

"We're in the studio constantly, we a record, suh all di T.O.K fans dem who've been waiting on our music for the last few years, just know wi have a lot of content for dem. T.O.K is back, like we never left," said Bay-C as they all laughed.