Chilaka PatrickOrganizers of the Grammy awards have indicated that an Afrobeats category to the Grammys is being considered.
Harvey Manson, CEO of the Recording Academy of Arts and Science, disclosed this on Monday during a chat with journalists at the recently held Global Citizens concert in Ghana.
Manson said the Academy had kicked off processes towards adding an Afrobeats category to the Grammys, saying members of the Academy will submit a proposal for the category and this would then be voted on.
In his words Manson said : “We just had a meeting six or seven days ago with leaders from the Afrobeats community. We want to get word from experts, so we called in producers, songwriters, artistes, and executives.
“We had a virtual listening session where we heard from Afrobeats creators. We talked about the different subgenres, the needs, and the desires.
“My goal is to make sure we represent all genres of music including Afrobeats at the Grammys. I don’t decide on categories.
“The categories are decided by proposals submitted by members. Then it’s voted on.
“That process has started now. The listening session last week was very important. It’s a step towards that.”
The Grammy, over the past few years, had been criticised for “not being inclusive enough” of Afrobeats/Afropop, a body of music genres from Africa that is now commanding attention in the global entertainment industry.
This new consideration will bring an end to such clamour for Afrobeats to be given its pride of place on the world music scene.
Afropop hits have often vied for entries nominated in more generic categories for a slim chance of winning.
Nigerian music sensation Wizkid in 2021, was nominated in the ‘Best Global Music Performance’ category for ‘Essence’, his collaboration with Tems. His ‘Made In Lagos’ and ‘Legacy by Femi and Made Kuti were up in the ‘Best Global Music Album’ category.
Wizkid lost to Angeliqu Kidjo, the Beninese singer, on the album side.
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