Exploring the Significance of the New Best African Music Performance Category at the 2024 GRAMMYs

When Harvey Mason jr. immersed himself in the music scene across various African countries in 2022, he underwent a profound transformation.

His experiences led to a deep appreciation for the diverse musical landscape of Africa, which he described as “mind-bending” and “game-changing,” emphasizing the continent’s rich creative heritage.

Recognizing the wealth of musical talent in Africa that extends beyond internationally recognized genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano, Mason jr. believed it was essential for the Recording Academy to capture the evolving music scene on the continent.

In response to this cultural exploration, the Recording Academy announced a groundbreaking addition to the 2024 GRAMMYs: the Best African Music Performance category.

This prestigious new category, along with two other innovative additions, namely Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording, seeks to celebrate and elevate the diverse musical expressions originating from Africa, spanning across genres like Afrobeats, kizomba, Ghanaian drill, and South African hip-hop.

While this move marks a significant step forward for the Recording Academy and the global music industry, Mason jr. views the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category as just the beginning of a more inclusive and diverse representation of African music.

Read More: 2024 GRAMMYs: 4 Things To Know About The New Categories & Changes

To mark the introduction of this category, GRAMMY.com engaged in conversations with industry leaders, including Mason jr., to delve into the origins and impact of the Best African Music Performance GRAMMY category on the global music scene.

Interviews have been edited for clarity and conciseness.

*Harvey Mason jr. Photo: Emma McIntyre by Getty Images*

Harvey Mason jr. 
CEO, The Recording Academy

Harvey, your extensive travels across African countries have undoubtedly influenced the inception of the new Best African Music Performance category.

Certainly. Through my visits to Africa, I witnessed an abundance of talent and creativity within the music scene. Genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano have gained global traction, reshaping musical trends and fostering cross-cultural collaborations.

The lack of representation of African music in the GRAMMY Awards process was a poignant realization during my interactions with the African music community. This realization fueled my excitement for the new GRAMMY category, anticipating its impact on African genres.

The inclusivity of the Recording Academy’s approach encompasses a diverse array of African music genres beyond mainstream styles like Afrobeats.

It was imperative for us to acknowledge and incorporate a broad spectrum of genres, recognizing the impossibility of encapsulating the entirety of Africa’s musical diversity.

This category sets the stage for a more extensive journey ahead, emphasizing the Academy’s commitment to fair and accurate representation of music from the region.

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Could you elaborate on the behind-the-scenes discussions at the Recording Academy that led to the establishment of the Best African Music Performance GRAMMY category?

The deliberations were centered around recognizing the significance of music from the African continent and ensuring comprehensive representation of its diverse musical landscape. The unanimous support for this category underscores the Academy’s dedication to honoring and showcasing African musical excellence.

In our efforts to be inclusive, we aimed to strike a balance that would aptly name categories in a manner that promotes fairness and encourages participation from a broad spectrum of individuals.

Where Should the Recording Academy Head Next in Its Recognition of African Music?

I hope to witness the Recording Academy’s ongoing commitment to respecting all genres of music, not just Western styles. Our evolution over the last three years has been characterized by adaptability and inclusivity in embracing new genres and markets swiftly.

We must delve deeper into various music genres and appreciate the vast array of music originating from Africa’s 54 countries. It would be wonderful to see the Academy acknowledge and honor even more music from Africa and beyond.

The Recording Academy’s future is poised to prioritize equity by celebrating music not solely from the United States but from a global standpoint.

During discussions with Shawn Thwaites, the Recording Academy’s genre manager for Global Music & African Music, at EMPIRE headquarters in San Francisco, the idea of establishing the Best African Music Performance category was conceived. The exponential commercial success of African music coupled with its profound cultural impact warranted this recognition. Our collaborative efforts aimed to provide essential insights to the Recording Academy’s decision-making committee regarding the category’s relevance and growth, particularly in North America.

Navigating the Complexity of African Music Categorization

Although the diversity of African music is vast and intricate, the creation of this category marks a significant milestone in acknowledging the value and influence of African music. Moving forward, there is a commitment to educating current members of the Recording Academy on the history and nuances of African music.

Global Outreach: The Recording Academy’s Mission to Support Music Communities Worldwide

This new GRAMMY category underscores the Recording Academy’s global mission to champion music creators and professionals from all corners of the world. The future entails establishing a presence on every continent to collaborate with burgeoning music communities and offer support to artists and creators globally.

Behind the Scenes: Advocating for Inclusive African Music Categories at the Recording Academy

Fueled by the successful integration of the [Best Global Music Album] category in 2020 and inspired by the Latin community’s endeavors, collaborative efforts were spearheaded to promote diverse African music categories. Through strategic partnerships and shared goals, trailblazers in the African, American, and U.K. music industries like Angelique Kidjo, Don Jazzy, John Legend, Juls, Riggs Morales, Sevi Spanoudi, Joy Wayodi, and Falu joined forces to advance the cause.

The collective push for greater inclusivity within African music categories exemplifies the Recording Academy’s global vision and commitment to empowering music communities worldwide. The journey towards enhanced representation continues, fueled by collaboration and a shared passion for diverse musical expressions.

Shawn Thwaites, Project Manager at The Recording Academy, discusses the importance of recognizing African music and creating dedicated categories to celebrate its diversity and richness. The Best African Music Performance category was established to highlight the unique musical styles and traditions of Africa, which have had a significant impact on the global music scene.

The decision to create this category involved consultations with African music leaders to ensure that it accurately represents and honors the continent’s musical contributions. The Recording Academy’s peer membership organization ensures that tracks are judged based on merit, regardless of their origin, through a careful screening process by selected members.

Looking ahead, the international music industry can further elevate and honor the African music community by fostering cultural exchanges, encouraging collaborations among artists, and strengthening relationships between labels and executives. This approach can help raise awareness of African music and promote a more inclusive and diverse global music community.

In its global mission to support the international music community, The Recording Academy aims to acknowledge and showcase the talent and creativity of musicians from diverse backgrounds. By doing so, they hope to foster greater understanding and contribute to a more inclusive music industry on a global scale.*

Rikki Stein
CEO, Kalakuta Sunrise LTD, a holding company for Knitting Factory Records and Partisan Records

Importance of Creating the Best African Music Performance Category by the Recording Academy

Stein: Africa has a significant role to play globally, with its cultural wealth, especially music. The addition of the Best African Music Performance category at the GRAMMYs acknowledges this influence and showcases African music on a global platform, where it is widely enjoyed.

Exploring the Diversity of African Music and Selecting Nominees

Stein: While there is a multitude of emerging artists, recognition should also be given to veteran musicians like Fela Kuti, whose timeless music continues to resonate worldwide, transcending borders and generations.

The Need to Elevate the African Music Community and Industry

Stein: After promoting African music for over 50 years, breaking the barriers that hinder its growth is crucial. Recognition from platforms like the GRAMMYs marks a positive step towards dismantling these obstacles.

Acknowledging the Recording Academy’s Global Mission to Support Music Creators

The international music industry should engage more with African music, understand its evolution, and provide opportunities for artists to thrive. Bridging the gap between different music communities is essential for a more inclusive and vibrant industry.

*Julian “Juls” Nicco-Annan. Photo: Dbcaptures*

Julian “Juls” Nicco-Annan
Record producer, DJ and songwriter

Importance of Creating the Best African Music Performance Category by the Recording Academy

Inclusion of the Best African Music Performance category at the GRAMMYs is a significant milestone, recognizing the global impact of African music and culture. It’s a platform to showcase the powerful and influential sounds that have been steadily gaining popularity over the years.

Exploring the Diversity of African Music and Selecting Nominees

Acknowledging talent from all parts of Africa is crucial, not just focusing on certain regions. Representation and advocacy from diverse experts are key to ensuring a fair selection process.

Elevating and Honoring the African Music Community and Industry

Researching and recognizing the contributions of various artists is essential. Establishing platforms like an African GRAMMYs would further promote African music on a global scale, similar to the success of the Latin American counterpart.

Supporting the Global Mission of the Recording Academy

Enhancing education and participation among African artists in the GRAMMY Awards process is vital to closing the gap between international recognition and local talent. Increasing inclusivity and knowledge-sharing can propel the African music industry to new heights.

Featuring Artists and Albums in African Music

Recent standout releases include Davido’s “Timeless,” Worlasi’s “The.rap.y,” a collaboration with Ami Faku on “Terrified,” and J Hus’ “Who Told You.” These works showcase the diversity and talent present in contemporary African music.

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