The Recording Academy has introduced a new category for African and African music- The Best African Music Performance. This move aims to acknowledge the cultural shift of Afrobeat across the globe and increase awareness of inclusion. In a press release introducing the new category, the CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason, said that the changes reflect their commitment to actively listen and respond to the feedback from the music community. The establishment of the Best African Music Performance category acknowledges the cultural impact made by African artists on a global scale. This recognition is long overdue and aims to shed light on a burgeoning musical genre that has profoundly influenced and enriched contemporary music.
The rapid growth of Afrobeat is remarkable. In 2022, Burna Boy’s album Love, Damini debuted at an unprecedented No. 14 on the Billboard 200, and Ckay’s Love Nwantiti became the most shazamed song. In May of the same year, Rema and Selena Gomez’s collaboration, Calm Down, achieved a historic milestone by topping both the U.S. Afrobeats Songs and Pop Airplay charts, reaching No. 3 on the Hot 100. Notably, Davido and Lojay secured their inaugural entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
The impact of Afrobeat is also evident in global music festivals and concerts, where Afrobeat artists now take centre stage. African music has transcended borders, reaching far and wide across the world, bringing us to a pivotal moment in the industry’s history.
This explosion of success extends beyond individual artists to encompass new signings, joint ventures, and licensing deals involving African artists and labels with U.S.-based companies and distributors. This wave has ushered in a fresh generation of stars
The publication analyzes the chance of each nominee for the Best African Music Performance category.
Rush by Ayra Starr (8%)
Sabi Girl, also known as Ayra Starr, earned a Grammy nomination for her acclaimed track Rush, featured on her debut studio album 19 & Dangerous. Ayra Starr has become a global sensation not only for her extraordinary fashion sense but also for her ability to rise above haters. Despite her relatively short tenure in the music industry as a newcomer, it seems unlikely that Rush will clinch the Best African Performance award. Even with an impressive 300 million views on YouTube, the song has not garnered the global impact it might have anticipated.
Amapiano by Asake and Olamide (18%)
Renowned producer Olamide, alongside Mr. Money, also known as Asake, has earned their inaugural nominations at the 66th Grammy Awards. Amapiano, featured as the third single from Asake’s second album, Work of Art, has currently amassed an impressive 50 million streams on Spotify. Asake and Olamide’s venture into the Amapiano genre positions them as strong contenders for the esteemed Best African Music Performance award.
Water by Tyla (22%)
Tyla stands as one of the youngest contenders at the upcoming 66th Grammy Awards. Despite having relatively lower odds of winning the Best African Music Performance award, her hit track Water has evolved into a worldwide sensation. Impressively, the song has climbed to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, maintaining its ascent for 17 consecutive weeks. Tyla’s innovative Barcardi dance introduced a fresh perspective, sparking a widespread trend on social media.
City Boys by Burna Boy (25%)
Burna Boy, acclaimed by the Grammys as the biggest superstar in Afrobeats, continues to solidify his impressive Grammy track record with nominations in four categories at the upcoming 66th Grammy Awards. His nominated track, City Boys, has amassed a remarkable 102 million streams on Spotify. Burna Boy stands as a formidable contender for the coveted Best African Music Performance Award, particularly with the fan-favourite City Boys.
Unavailable by Davido and Musa Keys (27%)
Davido’s dedication has brought him to this pivotal moment, making him a strong contender for the Best African Music Performance award at the 66th Grammy Awards. The standout track Unavailable from his highly-streamed album Timeless has amassed an impressive 112 million streams on Spotify alone and secured the No. 2 position on Billboard’s World Album chart.
