I Grade Records
Encyclopedia
I Grade Records is a premier conscious music label from the US Virgin
Islands. The label's mission is to produce the highest quality roots reggae
music emanating from St. Croix and the US Virgin Islands.
of the high quality reggae music emanating from the VI, notably St. Croix. The Virgin Islands has a large number of talented artists and producers who are upholding the tradition of conscious, hard-core, heavy-weight reggae that harkens back to 70¹s era Jamaican roots, but with a modern feel and appeal. Led by the legendary roots band, Midnite, the artists from the VI
are setting a new standard for conscious reggae music. I Grade Records is perhaps best known for its seven powerful collaborative albums with the world-renowned roots band, Midnite.
In addition to releasing seven crucial albums with Midnite, I Grade has
become known for its keen ear for new talent. I Grade Records was
privileged to produce the debut album by Dezarie, the amazingly powerful
female vocalist. The label has also produced and released the debut albums
of Yahadani, Ancient King and Abja.
Islands. The label's mission is to produce the highest quality roots reggae
Roots reggae
Roots reggae is a subgenre of reggae that deals with the everyday lives and aspirations of the artists concerned, including the spiritual side of Rastafari and with the honoring of God, called Jah by rastafarians. It also is identified with the life of the ghetto sufferer, and the rural poor...
music emanating from St. Croix and the US Virgin Islands.
History
The label was founded in 2001 by Laurent "Tippy" Alfred. Since 2001 the label has a rapidly expanding catalogue of nineteen releases. I Grade Records is an active part of the growing roots reggae movement in the Virgin Islands. Over the past years, the world has begun to take noticeof the high quality reggae music emanating from the VI, notably St. Croix. The Virgin Islands has a large number of talented artists and producers who are upholding the tradition of conscious, hard-core, heavy-weight reggae that harkens back to 70¹s era Jamaican roots, but with a modern feel and appeal. Led by the legendary roots band, Midnite, the artists from the VI
are setting a new standard for conscious reggae music. I Grade Records is perhaps best known for its seven powerful collaborative albums with the world-renowned roots band, Midnite.
In addition to releasing seven crucial albums with Midnite, I Grade has
become known for its keen ear for new talent. I Grade Records was
privileged to produce the debut album by Dezarie, the amazingly powerful
female vocalist. The label has also produced and released the debut albums
of Yahadani, Ancient King and Abja.
Releases
- Nemozian Rasta-MidniteMidniteMidnite is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989.The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite's compositions are characterized as the "chant and call" style which...
(2001) - Fya-DezarieDezarieDezarie is a female roots reggae singer born in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.She received Atlanta's "Best New Female Reggae Artist" award in 2001 before returning to St. Croix.She works closely with Midnite. She currently has four albums available...
(2001) - Assini-MidniteMidniteMidnite is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989.The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite's compositions are characterized as the "chant and call" style which...
(2002) - Weep Not-Various Artist (2002)
- Geoman-MidniteMidniteMidnite is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989.The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite's compositions are characterized as the "chant and call" style which...
(2003) - Vijan-MidniteMidniteMidnite is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989.The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite's compositions are characterized as the "chant and call" style which...
(2003) - Inna Red I Hour-Abja (2004)
- One Atonement-Yahadanai (2004)
- Let Live-MidniteMidniteMidnite is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989.The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite's compositions are characterized as the "chant and call" style which...
(2005) - Conquering Sound-Ancient King (2005)
- A Different Age-NiyoRah (2005)
- Rasta Awake-Army (2005)
- Jah Grid-MidniteMidniteMidnite is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989.The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite's compositions are characterized as the "chant and call" style which...
(2006) - Mahogany Road-Abja (2006)
- Purification Session-NiyoRah (2006)
- Rule The time-MidniteMidniteMidnite is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989.The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite's compositions are characterized as the "chant and call" style which...
(2007) - Stolen Scrolls-NiyoRah (2007)
- Unchangeable-Danny I (2008)
- Ten Strings-Tuff Lion (2008)