Grammy adds new category for 66th edition

The organizers of the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy, have introduced a new category called “Best African Music Performance” for the upcoming 66th edition of the prestigious music event.

This announcement was made alongside the creation of two other categories, namely “Best Pop Dance Recording” and “Best Alternative Jazz Album.” The Recording Academy shared this news through an official statement released on their website on Tuesday.

Starting from the 2024 show, the new categories will be included in the nomination process.

The “Best African Music Performance” category welcomes submissions from both contemporary and traditional music originating from the African continent. As part of these changes, the existing categories of “Producer of the Year, Non-Classical” and “Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical” will be moved to the general field.

In their statement, the Recording Academy expressed their pride in announcing these category updates, emphasizing their commitment to actively listen and respond to feedback from the music community. These changes aim to accurately represent a diverse range of relevant musical genres and remain aligned with the ever-evolving musical landscape.

The addition of the “Best African Music Performance” category recognizes the global success and influence of African acts such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems, as well as the rise of the Afrobeats genre.

The category is inclusive of various musical styles from the African continent, including Afrobeats, Afro-pop, Amapiano, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz.

By introducing this category, the Recording Academy aims to acknowledge the significant impact of African music and its artists on the international music scene.

The inclusion of diverse genres and musical styles from Africa reflects the Academy’s recognition of the global popularity and streaming success achieved by African artists.

The new category is expected to provide a platform for African musicians to showcase their talent and further contribute to the recognition and growth of the African music industry.