Olufemi Adeyemi
As part of its efforts to support music creators on a global scale, the Recording Academy, the organisers of the Grammy Awards, has announced plans to create an African version of the prestigious award scheme.
The Recording Academy, behind GRAMMY Awards, is expanding its support for music creators globally. The academy has partnered with Ministries of Culture and key stakeholders in the Middle East and Africa to enhance its presence and services in these growing music markets.
Harvey Manson, the CEO of the Recording Academy, said: “This is exciting because music is one of humanity’s greatest natural resources”.
“It is critical that the people who dedicate themselves to creating music have support, resources and opportunities, no matter where they are from,” he added.
For the past two years, Academy leaders have traveled to
these regions, engaging in listening sessions, briefings, tours, and direct
discussions with both governmental bodies and music creators.
Finally, the news is out – Grammy Africa! 💃🏾🕺🏾🎶
— Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE (@Dentaa_show) June 12, 2024
As a senior consultant to the President and CEO of the Recording Academy (Grammys), we have been working behind the scenes for this historic moment. Over the past year and a half, I have had the privilege of working with the… pic.twitter.com/QtP0HdveT6
The Academy is collaborating with the Ministries of Culture
in Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism,
the Rwanda Development Board, and South Africa’s Ministry of Sports, Arts and
Culture. MOUs have been signed with Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
The expansion comes as the Academy celebrates the 25th
anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards, which will take place in November in
Miami. The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs in Seville, Spain, marked the first-ever
international GRAMMY Awards show.
At the 2024 GRAMMYs, the Academy introduced the first Best African Music Performance GRAMMY category, which recognizes songs that use unique local expressions from across the African continent.
Paul Pacifico, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s The Music Commission,
said: “We eagerly anticipate the benefits we know this partnership will bring
to our music community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the opportunities it
will deliver for Saudi music to take its place on the global stage and
contribute to a more globally representative and vibrant music industry.”
Speaking on the development, Davido, who was nominated in
three categories at the 2024 Grammys Awards, expressed excitement over the
Academy’s expansion.
“As an African musician, I am excited about the Recording
Academy’s expansion into Africa and the Middle East,” he said.
This initiative offers a platform for creators, elevating
our cultural expressions and uniting us through music.”
Ababu Namwamba of Kenya’s EGH added: “It should be no
surprise that Kenya is delighted to be among the four champions of this effort,
alongside our sister nations of Rwanda, Nigeria and South Africa. This is a
historic opportunity to hoist high and celebrate Africanacity through artistic
and cultural expression, while fostering innovation, creativity, fraternity,
and solidarity for African peoples in Africa and beyond.”