Potential Nominees for Inaugural Grammy's Best African Music Performance

10 January 2024

[Grammys Award/The Citizen Tanzania]

Written by Pharis Kinyua

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As anticipation builds for the announcement of Grammy Awards 2024 nominees, Billboard, the prominent media outlet, has offered an intriguing glimpse into the songs that may secure a nomination in the newly introduced category of Best African Music Performance at the 66th edition of the prestigious awards ceremony.

The Best African Music Performance category is a fresh addition to the Grammy Awards, introduced ahead of the 66th edition. Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, shed light on the rationale behind this innovative category.

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He explained, "There's a threshold that you like to see for a genre of music before it actually could make for a healthy category. When you talk about the music coming from Africa, you're seeing Afrobeats grow, you're seeing amapiano and other genres coming out of the continent over the last three to five years. That started the discussions around, 'Is it the right time?'"

This new category mirrors the burgeoning commercial and cultural impact of African artists' music in the United States. The genre's ascent in recent years has followed an almost linear trajectory. Notable milestones include Davido's 2017 single 'Fall,' which became the first Nigerian song to earn RIAA gold certification in the United States in 2020; Wizkid and Tems' 'Essence,' which achieved the distinction of being the first Afropop song to break into the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021; Burna Boy's 'Love, Damini,' debuting at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 in 2022, becoming the highest-charting Afro-fusion album in chart history.

Additionally, in May, Rema and Selena Gomez's 'Calm Down' achieved a groundbreaking feat by topping both the U.S. Afrobeats Songs and Pop Airplay charts and reaching No. 3 on the Hot 100 (though it was released too early to be eligible for the Grammy).
Now, as the Grammy Awards 2024 nominations loom on November 10, 2023, Billboard has offered insights into the possible contenders for the inaugural Best African Music Performance award. Here are the songs that made the list:

1. '2 Sugar' - Wizkid ft. Ayra Starr: Wizkid's dynamic collaboration with Ayra Starr has captured the hearts of music enthusiasts, blending infectious rhythms with captivating vocals.

2. 'People' - Libianca: 'People' by Libianca presents a soulful and resonant narrative, reflecting the diversity and depth of African musical expression.

3. 'Unavailable' - Davido ft. Musa Keys: Davido's partnership with Musa Keys has produced "Unavailable," a melodious and entrancing track that showcases the evolving soundscape of African music.

4. 'PNDS' - Adekunle Gold ft. Zinoleesky: Adekunle Gold and Zinoleesky's "PNDS" is a harmonious fusion of their unique styles, offering a glimpse into the genre's contemporary evolution.

5. 'Amapiano' - Asake ft. Olamide: 'Amapiano' by Asake and Olamide is a testament to the genre's cross-cultural appeal, blending Nigerian and South African influences into a vibrant and danceable creation.

With these potential nominees, the inaugural Best African Music Performance category promises to be a celebration of the rich tapestry of African music, its cultural resonance, and its growing influence on the global music stage. As the Grammy Awards 2024 approach, the world eagerly awaits the official nominations, which will undoubtedly shine a spotlight on the remarkable talent emanating from the African music scene.

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Potential Nominees for Inaugural Grammy's Best African Music Performance

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