The introduction of the “Best African Music Performance” category at the Grammy Awards aimed to acknowledge the growing influence of African music on the global stage. However, in just its second year, the category is already causing controversy.
South African singer Tyla won the inaugural award with Water, a fusion of amapiano and afropop, a victory widely celebrated. Yet, this year’s nomination of Chris Brown, a major American R&B star, has raised questions.
Does Chris Brown Belong in an African Category?
Chris Brown was among the finalists with Sensational, featuring Davido and Lojay. Although Tems, a Nigerian artist, ultimately won the award, the debate persists. Should the Grammy Awards limit this category to African artists, or should it encourage international collaborations?
Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr defends an inclusive approach:
“Music should not be confined by borders. We’ve seen this evolution with Latin music, K-Pop, and now afrobeats and amapiano.”
Is Afrobeats Overshadowing Other African Genres?
Another key concern is the dominance of afrobeats, originating from Nigeria and Ghana, which seems to be monopolizing nominations. Meanwhile, styles like South African amapiano and Ivorian coupé-décalé struggle to gain the same recognition.
Nigerian music journalist Ayomide Tayo attributes this dominance to the genre’s global exposure:
“Afrobeats has been at the forefront for over three decades, driven by influential artists and a strong diaspora.”
Despite amapiano surpassing 1.4 billion streams on Spotify in 2023, it remains underrepresented in the Grammy’s African category.
A Call for Greater Representation of African Music
Historically, African artists were largely confined to the “Best World Music Album” category. Legends like Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N’Dour, and Black Coffee have made their mark, yet the diversity of African music remains underappreciated.
With the global rise of African sounds, many advocate for the creation of additional Grammy categories to better represent the continent’s rich musical diversity.
