The Recording Academy introduced the African category ahead of the 2024 Grammy on January 4, 2024, and it has had a lot of tongues talking.
Adesope Olajide, known professionally as Shopsydoo after the Made in Africa Dinner, interviewed a couple of music producers, music enthusiasts and artists about what they feel about the new category and they had quite a lot to say. He interviewed Harmony Samuels, Juls Baby, Nana Kwabena, Godfrey Podcast, Kcee, Ubi Franklin, Pheelz, and the event’s host, Jidenna.
H-Money, Harmony Samuels says the category is “about 10 years late” but appreciates the categories being amazing and the artists nominated. Jidenna said “It’s 500 years too late,” He says that even American music has been influenced by African music. Jidena also says that he’s happy that they finally got to that point. He believed that African recognition should be their own, not caring whether we are internationally recognized. Jidenna finished with “Make we make our own Grammys and I’m nominating.”
Producer and artist, Pheelz acknowledged that it’s been a long time coming and said “We’ve been ready since the days of Fela Anikulapo Kuti”. Pheelz also spoke about his collaboration with usher where he said that the opportunity cannot be understood by the human mind and that it’s by God’s grace. Ubi and Kcee shared the same opinion with both celebrating the success and recognition of African artistry.
American record producer, Nana Kwabena, who produced the acclaimed single Classic Man believed the category would open more doors for the continent in music. Juls Baby, the British-Ghanaian producer that made Wande Coal’s So Mi So said “Very soon they will begin to realise how influential we’ve been the past 3… 400 years” Juls expressed his belief of the African culture saying we cannot be replicated or duplicated as we are a unique sound and its something he’s proud of.
Godfrey, the cousin to singer Onyeka Onwenu, also expressed his excitement about the new category, saying that with the evolution of Afro beats since the days of Sunny Ade to Fela and in this era of Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid, Godfrey says it’s about time. He expressed an allegiance with Nigerians saying Nigerians are the best.
With the buzz around the African category at the Grammy’s, a lot of fans are sure to be tuned in come Sunday, January 4, 2024.
