Tony Rebel hopes Grammy certification will motivate others

Reggae stalwart Tony Rebel has expressed hope that his recent Grammy certification will motivate up-and-coming artistes and producers to create good music and work hard, as they too might reap the rewards.

"I'm feeling good. I have done a lot of good work and it is good to appreciate excellence. I love what I do, I do what I love and it's time I get some recognition, even though I've gotten a whole lot already, but every one in the kitty is good, so I appreciate it very much," Tony Rebel told THE STAR before the 2025 Grammy Certification Ceremony, which was held last Saturday in Kingston.

As the resident promoter and founder of Rebel Salute, Tony Rebel, who is also a reggae singer, said though he's a man of many hats, he hopes his recognition will inspire the younger generation in the music game to strive for better, even while juggling other fields.

"All we are, is just servants - we just serve the people. So in whatever area you are, whether you're a journalist, an artiste, promoter, producer, you serve. I as an artiste, I serve. I always love to do things to the family of humanity, making sure that the family of humanity be the recipient of my deeds," the artiste said.

He also urged musicians to make music that exceeds beyond the glitz and glamour that comes with the career and to maximise their full potential and purpose to humanity.

"Yuh get yuh talent from God and you must exercise it in a manner that pleases Him. Suh when yuh just have it and all yuh have it for is to get fame and money, that won't fulfil all that you need to fulfil. Yuh need to fulfil the promise of the Creator and the promise of our ancestors - Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X. They dedicated their lives to the family of humanity and whatever we do, we should do that. History must count yuh blessed," he said with a laugh.

On Saturday, Tony Rebel was awarded for his contributions to music and Jamaican culture. He received two certificates for his contribution as guest artiste on the Bob Sinclar and Sly and Robbie Made in Jamaica album that was nominated for the Grammys in 2011, and on Stir It Up, a 1995 Grammy-nominated compilation album.

The certification event was hosted by Back 2 Da Future Music Limited and US-based music publishing company, Royalty Network Inc. and Steely & Clevie Productions. It honoured several unsung contributors behind Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated albums, from musicians and engineers to producers and songwriters, who have historically gone unrecognised, especially in the reggae and dancehall genres.

From his years of shaping reggae music and taking it to different parts of the world while being a frontrunner in helping to mould and expose local talent, Tony Rebel said that what stood out most to him is the love and genuine appreciation from the people.

"People always 'apprecilove' what I do. People always walk up to me and tell me 'thanks' and express great happiness for what I do - not only as an artiste and ambassador of the culture, but also a promoter. I could do other things too but I chose not to because I wanted to do something for the family of humanity and that's always something great," Tony Rebel stated. He said that he's "excited" to take Rebel Salute to foreign shores, with the show making its international debut on September 28 in Miramar, Florida.

"Tickets are selling and we're happy that people are coming out to see Rebel Salute in America. It's all di time people from all over di world come to Jamaica, suh for some people who cyaah come, wi just tek it to dem now," he laughed.