It is beyond me why no one talks about Stephen’ Di Genius’ McGregor’s accomplishments when he is clearly running the world musically. Little known fact, Di Genius just hit his FOURTH GRAMMY AWARD… ‘Let that sink in (in my best Dr the Honourable Christopher Tufton voice).
According to Wikipedia, “Di Genius (real name Stephen McGregor), is a Grammy Award-Winning music producer, singer, and songwriter from Kingston, Jamaica. Di Genius comes from a musical family—his father is legendary veteran reggae artist Freddie McGregor. His siblings, Daniel “Chino” McGregor and Yeshemabeth “Shema” McGregor are also singers. While Di Genius was primarily known for producing riddims out of his “Big Ship” recording studio, he has gone on to produce and write songs for international artists such as Sean Paul, Drake, Nelly Furtado, Lianne La Havas, Shakira, John Legend, among others. The New York Times named him a Reggae Veteran at the age of 18.”
Now 31 years old, Stephen, just last evening, got his fourth Grammy Award from 10 nominations over an 8 year period. That is a huge deal. The award came from his involvement with John Legend’s album ‘Bigger Love‘. John Legend’s ‘Bigger Love’ won the 63 Annual Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Di Genius is listed as a producer for the title track of the album’ Bigger Love‘ and producer/writer for ‘Don’t Walk Away’, which features Jamaica’s official Grammy kid Koffee.
Di Genius was elated about his fourth Grammy win and posted on his Instagram page, “Another Won! Super grateful to be a part of this amazing, now Grammy award-winning album! Big congrats to the Legend @johnlegend and to everyone involved! To more wins!” (https://www.instagram.com/p/CMao7MbFGyM/)https://www.instagram.com/p/CMao7MbFGyM/embed/?cr=1&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fmadaroad.com&rp=%2Fprofiles%2Fblogs%2Fstephen-di-genius-hits-grammy-4#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1309.699999988079%2C%22ls%22%3A415.59999999403954%2C%22le%22%3A510.80000001192093%7D
Twitter erupted with the chatter of Koffee’s second Grammy win and her involvement and how she should have been there to collect the award and then some. But… I’m still stuck on Stephen’ Di Genius’ McGregor just won his fourth Grammy as a Jamaican producer. THAT’S HUGE!!!
Let’s Talk About It!
If we are to be absolutely fair, at least 10 international hit projects of the last decade, Di Genius was listed as a producer. That has guaranteed him at least one international hit per year. It’s a fact that most local producers see international hits as a once or twice in a lifetime occurrence. However, Stephen may be starting out on January 1 of every New Year asking himself, “Self, what am I producing this year will go number 1?” In 2009, self responded, Sean Paul’s ‘Imperial Blaze‘ will be #1 on the Reggae Billboard Chart and #1 Top Rap Albums (Billboard). Imperial Blaze also made Top 20 in 8 other countries, and Di Genius produced 11 of the 20 tracks listed on the album.
Since then, Di Genius has produced international hits such as Nelly Furtado – “Don’t Leave Me, French Montana – “Writing On The Wall” ft Post Malone Cardi B, Rvssian – “IDKW” ft Shenseea Swae Lee Young Thug, Drake – “Controlla”, Shakira – “Amarillo”, Shenseea – “Blessed” ft. Tyga, Damian Marley – Upholstery, Damian Marley – Slave Mill and Lianne La Havas – “Midnight”.
Stephen has won 3 Grammys for contributing to Shakira’s El Dorado and Damian Marley’s Stony Hill in 2017. He collected the Best Latin Pop Album, Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album (Latin Grammy Awards) and Best Reggae Album. Additionally, projects he has contributed to have been nominated for the Grammy several times.
- 2014, Best Urban Contemporary Album – Mali Is (Mali Music)
- 2015, Best Urban Contemporary Album – Blood (Lianne La Havas)
- 2016, Best Rap Album – Views (Drake)
- 2016, Album Of The Year – Views (Drake)
- 2017, Best Reggae Album – Chronology (Chronixx)
- 2019, Best World Music Album – African Giant (Burna Boy)
Stephen’ Di Genius’ has definitely earned his place on the international music scene and continues to be a champion for Jamaican music and Jamaican talent.
Cheers to #4!