While we have a number of African artists who have won the Grammys, it is worth noting that these awards never had a category specifically for African music or artists.
Now, the exciting news is that the Grammys 2024 will have a newly announced category, “Best African Music Performance,” for African music, with two more additional categories, alternative jazz and dance pop.
These category additions were voted on and passed at the Recording Academy’s most recent semiannual Board of Trustees meeting held in May 2023.
The Best African Music Performance category will be for tracks and singles that recognize recordings with local expressions from across the African continent. This category includes but is not limited to the Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afrobeats, Alte, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Genge, Kizomba, Chimurenga, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz genres.
The introduction of the newly announced category, “Best African Music Performance,” at the Grammys 2024 is a significant milestone for African artists and the diverse array of genres that originate from the continent. This long-awaited recognition and inclusion reflect the growing global appreciation for African music’s rich cultural heritage and its impact on the global music scene.
The importance of this category cannot be understated. For years, African artists had to compete in general categories that did not adequately capture the nuances and distinctiveness of their music. The addition of the Best African Music Performance category provides a dedicated platform to celebrate and honor the exceptional talent and creativity emerging from Africa.
By acknowledging and showcasing the breadth of African musical expressions, this category will bring greater visibility to genres that have been traditionally underrepresented on the global stage. It will serve as a catalyst for elevating genres.
The inclusion of these genres in the Grammy Awards signifies the increasing influence and relevance of African music on a global scale. It recognizes the immense talent and cultural contributions of African artists, who have been shaping and evolving these genres over decades. The visibility provided by the Grammys will not only inspire and motivate established African artists but also encourage emerging talents to further explore and innovate within these genres.
With these categories added, the Grammys will now have a total of 94 categories.
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