Who Should Count as African at the Grammy Awards?
The Grammy Awards have taken a significant step in recognizing African music with the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category. However, just a year into its existence, the category has sparked controversy and raised questions about who qualifies as an African artist.
When South African singer Tyla won the inaugural award for her amapiano-infused hit “Water,” the decision was largely celebrated. But this year’s nominations have reignited debates, particularly with the inclusion of American R&B star Chris Brown for his Afrobeats-inspired song “Sensational,” featuring Nigerian artists Davido and Lojay.
Who Belongs in the African Category?
The core issue revolves around whether non-African artists should be considered in a category intended to highlight African talent. Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. believes that music transcends borders. “Music is about inclusivity. We don’t want to fence people out of genres,” he explains, emphasizing that genre-blending has always existed. He draws parallels to Latin music and K-pop, both of which have seen international artists embrace their styles.
While cross-cultural collaborations have helped African music gain global recognition, critics argue that an African category should exclusively honour African-born musicians. The debate raises broader questions about how the Grammys define and celebrate African music.
Afrobeats vs. Africa’s Musical Diversity
Another point of contention is the apparent dominance of Afrobeats in the category. Despite Africa’s vast musical landscape, this year’s nominees lean heavily towards Afrobeats stars such as Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Tems, Asake, Wizkid, and Davido. While Afrobeats has been an undeniable force in global music, some believe the category should better represent the continent’s diverse genres.
Nigerian music journalist Ayomide Tayo attributes Afrobeats’ dominance to its long history of global exposure. “It’s not necessarily better than other genres, but it has been consistently pushed for over three decades,” he explains. He also credits the Nigerian diaspora for playing a key role in expanding Afrobeats’ reach in Europe and North America.
However, industry insiders suggest that the current Afrobeats-heavy nominations might be a temporary trend. Johannesburg-based record executive Raphael Benza predicts that other African genres, such as amapiano, will soon gain more recognition. Amapiano, which amassed over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify in 2023, is already a dominant force in global dance music.
The Influence of the Grammys
The creation of the Best African Music Performance category acknowledges Africa’s growing influence in global music. When Tyla won last year, she defeated Nigerian heavyweights like Davido and Burna Boy, solidifying her presence on the international stage. Since then, she has graced the Met Gala and been featured in leading fashion magazines, demonstrating the Grammys’ power to elevate artists’ careers.
This year’s nominations, however, favour Nigerian artists, with Chris Brown’s inclusion being the most controversial. Yet, Tayo points out that Brown has long engaged with African music, frequently collaborating with Nigerian artists and even holding sold-out concerts in Johannesburg. “There’s an inside joke in Nigeria that Chris Brown is practically Nigerian because of how often he appears on our songs and music videos,” he adds.
African Artists and the Grammys’ Future
African musicians have been winning Grammys long before this category was introduced. South African legend Miriam Makeba was the first African to receive a Grammy in 1966, and artists like Angelique Kidjo, Youssou N’Dour, and Black Coffee have also claimed prestigious awards.
However, to fully represent Africa’s musical diversity, many believe the Grammys should introduce more categories dedicated to African genres. Expanding recognition beyond Afrobeats could ensure that the continent’s rich and evolving soundscape receives the global attention it deserves.
