Steele cops three reggae awards in Canada
published:
Sunday | June 15, 2008
Adrian Frater, News Editor
Reggae singer Steele - Contributed
WESTERN BUREAU:
Jamaican-born, Canada-based reggae star Steele copped the three major awards at the recent Reggae Music Achievement Awards (RMAA) in Toronto.
The former Herbert Morrison High School student, who has been creating waves in North America and Europe with his growing collection of rock/reggae songs, took the awards for 'Male Vocalist Of The Year', 'Artiste Of The Year' and 'Album Of The Year' through his album The Love of Jah.
truly honoured
"I feel privileged and truly honoured that my work has been honoured in such a profound way," said Steele, who got a standing ovation after he was presented with the 'Artiste of the Year' award by popular Jamaican radio personality Richard 'Richie B' Burgess.
Burgess remarked that the award was fitting since it was "the first album produced, recorded and sung by an artist residing in Canada to ever hit the top 10 album/CD charts in Jamaica".
While clearly elated with all three awards, Steele was particularly thrilled with the 'Album Of The Year' award, because of the time he and his co-producer, Ernie Tresfall of Reflex Music, invested in trying to make the album an extra-special project.
"I must say a special thanks to Ernie (Tresfall) and all the media personnel around the world for their love and continued support of my work," said Steele. "I must also say thanks to all those fans who voted for this album."
vocal power
As a prelude to the awards, Steele gave a performance in which he showed off the full range of his vocal power and high energy on popular songs such as Another Confrontation, Breakfast in Bed and the religiously flavoured Jah is My Strength.
Since bursting on the Canadian scene in 1992, Steele has steadily been building a reputation, but he really came to the fore in 2004 with his first solo album, Uncorrupted. That album won him 'Recording Artist of the Year', 'Best Canadian Reggae Newcomer Of The Year', 'Best Canadian Reggae Male Singer Of The Year' and 'Best Canadian Recording CD of The Year' from Caribbean Express 96.1 FM in Vancouver.
video projects
His last two appearances in Jamaica were at last year's 'Tribute to Peter Tosh' in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland and the 2008 'Tru-Juice Rebel Salute' at Port Kaiser, St Elizabeth. He currently has two video projects - The New World Order, which features Queen Ifrica and Goose and Ganda.
With his career now in high gear the supremely confident Steele, who honed his vocal skills in the Herbert Morrison High School Band alongside Benjy Myaz, Paul Kastic, and Michael Stevens, who are all now established musicians, believes he is now ready to embrace stardom.
"I think my career is now firmly on track and, as far as I am concerned, the sky is the limit," he said. "I have performed alongside acts such as Freddie McGregor, Rita Marley, Tony Rebel, The Melodians, Glen Washington, Luciano, Beenie Man, Half Pint and many other top acts, so I am fully aware of what it takes to hold my own in music."
