What would amapiano be without Mzansi’s international chart-topping dynamite Tyla?
Ever the pioneers, South African artists have scored themselves nominations at the first ever Grammy Best African Music Performance Awards. This brand-new Grammy category is being inaugurated with the aim of highlighting Africa’s diversity and the tapestries of musical innovations that the continent continues to introduce to the market.
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Musa Keys’ distinctive approach to the amapiano genre, which has been making global waves and sparking conversation on social media platforms, is an infusion of RnB, AfroBeats, and hip-hop. When his Spotify followers heard the news of this nomination, they jumped on the opportunity to take their fave to the top and skyrocketed his streams by over 80%. He owes this nomination to his collaboration with Nigeria’s pride, Davido who is a fellow nominee.
To a lot of South African music lovers, particularly the Gen-Z crowd ager 18-24, Tyla’s nomination comes as no surprise. At just 21 years young, the unstoppable small- packaged dynamite secured her spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with her breakout hit “Water.” Although released back in August 2023, the chart-topping track remains her most streamed song with a lingering allure to the young and old across the globe.
A total of seven artists, whose roots are anchored in Africa, have made the cut to set the bar for the category. Nigeria’s musicians are not going unnoticed, as they dominate the category, boasting four of their leading stars. Needless to say, launching an awards category celebrating African music would be an absolute fallacy without the nomination of four-time Grammy nominee Burna Boy.
Nobody does it like Musa Keys with his unique blend of genres that most musicians would never dream of marrying
Ayra Starr is paving the way for other game changing ladies in music at her home country, being the very first Nigerian female performer whose nomination will launch the category. Although dominated by solo performers, the category also includes the dynamic duo Asake and Olamide. Recognition for these collaborators whose commitment to music also includes solo careers does not begin and end with the new Grammy category, they have also secured themselves a spot on the list of Obama’s favourite musicians.
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A lot of good things are continuing to emerge from what has been known as the Dark Continent. It was always a matter of time before the world stood up and took notice of the wealth of Africa’s diverse sounds, cultures and heritages. As things sit, it appears that the going forward the only way, is up.
