The Recording Academy, organiser of the Grammys, has included the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category for the 2024 edition.
In a statement via its Instagram page on Tuesday, the award organiser said the newly added category will feature 19 music genres across Africa.
The statement added that genres include the ‘Afrobeats’, ‘Afrobeat’, ‘Amapiano’, ‘High Life’, ‘Fuji’, and ‘Afro-Fusion’.
The organisers also said the ‘Best Alternative Jazz Album’ and ‘Best Pop Dance Recording’ have been added to the award categories.
This makes it the first time in the history of the awards that a category will be specifically dedicated to African music.
“Our goal at the #RecordingAcademy is to recognize and honor the very best in music from across the globe. Every year, we strive to accurately represent and celebrate the various cultures, influences, and genres that shape our world and provide the soundtrack to our lives,” the statement reads.
“Today, we’re proud to announce a new category for the 66th Grammy Awards – Best African Music Performance.
“This track and singles category recognizes recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent.
“Highlighting regional melodic, harmonic and rhythmic musical traditions, the Category includes but is not limited to the Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afrobeats, Alte, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Genge, Kizomba, Chimurenga, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz genres.”
The Grammys, regarded as the most prestigious music awards, first took place in 1958 as the ‘Gramophone Awards’.
Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems have won the much-coveted award in the past.
