IN a significant move, the Grammys have announced the addition of three new categories to the prestigious awards show in 2024. Among the new additions is the highly anticipated Best African Music Performance category, highlighting the rich and diverse musical traditions of the continent. The Recording Academy unveiled this exciting development on Tuesday, alongside the inclusion of Best Pop Dance Recording and Best Alternative Jazz Album.
The Recording Academy’s decision to introduce the Best African Music Performance category is a testament to their commitment to representing a wider range of musical genres and embracing the ever-evolving music industry. According to a press release, this category will showcase ‘regional melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic musical traditions’ and encompass genres like 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.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. expressed his pride in announcing the category changes and their dedication to actively listening and responding to feedback from the music community. Mason underscored the Academy’s commitment to accurately representing diverse musical genres and staying aligned with the ever-evolving musical landscape.
‘These changes reflect our commitment to actively listen and respond to the feedback from our music community, accurately represent a diverse range of relevant musical genres, and stay aligned with the ever-evolving musical landscape,’ stated Mason.
The addition of these three new categories is a testament to the Recording Academy’s desire to acknowledge and appreciate a broader array of artists, recognising their outstanding contributions to music. The move will not only honour and celebrate the creators and recordings in these categories but also expose a wider range of music to fans worldwide.
With the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category, the Grammys are taking a significant step forward in recognising and embracing the vibrant musical traditions from across the African continent, providing well-deserved visibility and appreciation to African artists on the global stage.