The 12-track album Dread by Jamaican-born reggae artistes Kirk Diamond and Finn won the JUNO award for Reggae Recording of the Year on Saturday night.

The awards — the opening night ceremony was presented by Music Canada — took place at the Halifax Convention Centre in Halifax, Canada.

This is the third win for Kirk Diamond, who is originally from Spanish Town.

For Finn, this is his second win.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you to the JUNOs, and thank you to Finn. Big up everybody that was a part of the project — Tiffanie Malvo, Lord Fury, Tyshee, and Movement of Ahryel. Big up Kimberly and Rory,” Kirk Diamond said during his acceptance speech.

Said Finn: “Big up everybody that was a part of the album. Big up my family. Long live reggae music.”

The other nominees in the Reggae Recording of the Year category were
Rush Dem by Omega Mighty featuring 4Korners and Haviah Mighty,
Stir This Thing (the current #1 reggae song in Canada) by Ammoye featuring Turbulence, Roots Girl by Jah’Mila, and Feel Like Home by Exco Levi.

Kirk Diamond won in 2018 for the EP titled Greater and last year he won for the song Reggae Party featuring Kairo McLean and Finn.

The album Dread was released in October last year via Gold Era Music and The Movement of Ahryel.

The JUNO Awards, Canada’s equivalent to the Grammys, is promoted by Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS).

— Kevin Jackson