The 2024 GRAMMYs are set to make history with the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category. This ground-breaking addition signals a significant leap for the African music industry, showcasing the continent’s cultural and commercial impact on the global music stage.
Shawn Thwaites, project manager at the Recording Academy, expressed enthusiasm about the new category, emphasizing its role in highlighting and celebrating the diversity and richness of African music. This move is hailed as a positive step forward for the industry.
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The GRAMMYs have a longstanding tradition of recognizing African musicians, from Ali Farka Touré to Wizkid. The new category welcomes artists representing various African musical styles, including Ethio-jazz, Ghanaian drill, high life, or kwassa. This year, the spotlight is on Nigerian Afrobeats stars, with Burna Boy, ASAKE, Davido, and Ayra Star all securing nominations.
However, this year’s Afrobeats scene takes an unconventional turn with a notable embrace of amapiano, the South Africa-born house offshoot that has captivated audiences worldwide. Three of the five nominated tracks draw inspiration from amapiano, reflecting the genre’s influence from London to Lagos. ASAKE even incorporates the genre into the title of his nominated track. Additionally, South African artist Tyla’s fusion of ama and R&B underscores the pervasive impact of piano power across the musical landscape.
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Discover more about the diverse nominees and tune in to the 2024 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 4, to witness the crowning of the pioneering Best African Music Performance award.
Amapiano – Asake & Olamide
While there are more established artists in this domain, none carry the same sense of significance as Asake. His meteoric ascent to stardom occasionally mirrors the Afrobeats equivalent of Beatlemania. With only two albums to his name, Asake has achieved immense popularity, owing to his deeply charismatic persona and captivating stage presence.
City Boys – Burna Boy
In the realm of Afrobeats and even across the entire African continent, there’s no star shining brighter than Burna Boy. With two consecutive Best Global Album GRAMMY nominations for his works “Twice as Tall” and “African Giant,” he has solidified his place at the forefront. Burna Boy’s global influence extends beyond borders, marked by collaborations with international icons like Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber.
Unavailable – Davido featuring Musa Keys
While Asake’s fame soared with his embrace of Amapiano, Davido has been championing the genre for an extended period. In 2021, he collaborated with Amapiano DJ and MC Focalistic on “Champion Sound,” providing the genre with a vital early entry point into the Afrobeats scene.
Rush – Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr’s track carries an anthemic tone reminiscent of Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and achieved global chart success, propelled by TikTok virality. Born in French-speaking Benin to Nigerian parents, the 21-year-old artist experienced frequent relocations during her childhood, eventually settling in Lagos to pursue her musical aspirations.
Water – Tyla
At 21 years old, Tyla stands as the youngest nominee and the sole South African artist on this list. Already a star in her home country, she has garnered two nominations for the South African Music Awards.
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Her lead single, “Water,” from her upcoming debut EP, catapulted her to further acclaim. Notably, she became the first solo musician from South Africa in 55 years to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 with the song. Fueled by a widely embraced TikTok challenge, the track debuted at 67 and has reached a peak position of 21 thus far.