At Sunday’s prestigious Grammys, African music will be recognized with its own category, as it’s now considered a part of pop music, according to Harvey Mason Jr., the man behind the awards.
He expressed excitement about the inclusion of the Best African Music Performance category, with artists like Tyla, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, and Davido among the nominees.Â
While celebrated, critics argue that an award for African music should have been introduced much earlier. Grammy-winning record producer Ian Brennan, who has collaborated with African artists, sees this as progress but believes it’s long overdue.
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African artists have previously won Grammys, including Miriam Makeba in 1966 and Burna Boy in 2021. However, Brennan notes a historical blind spot for African music at the Grammys, citing the absence of African artists in the Lifetime Achievement Award category.
Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, attributes the decision to include an Africa-specific award to the global prevalence of music from the continent. He acknowledges that the Grammys have traditionally focused on American music but emphasizes their commitment to inclusivity and representing diverse musical genres.
This year’s Grammys ceremony will also feature a performance by Burna Boy, marking the first time an Afrobeats performer has taken the stage at the event.
