In a groundbreaking move to support music creators worldwide, the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, has announced plans to create an African version of the prestigious award scheme.
This initiative mirrors the Academy’s establishment of the Latin Grammys in 1997, aiming to satisfy the diverse musical needs of rapidly growing regions and bolster the Academy’s presence and services.
In conjunction with this announcement, the Recording Academy has entered into special agreements with Ministries of Culture and key stakeholders not only in Africa but also across the Middle East. “This is exciting because music is one of humanity’s greatest natural resources,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “It is critical that the people who dedicate themselves to creating music have support, resources, and opportunities, no matter where they are from.”
Over the past two years, Academy leaders have engaged deeply with these regions, participating in listening sessions, receiving high-level briefings, and gathering insights directly from both governmental ministries and music creators driving innovation in these markets.
The Academy’s collaborative partners include the Ministries of Culture in Kenya, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Nigeria; the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, UAE; the Rwanda Development Board (RDB); and the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture in South Africa. Additionally, memorandums of understanding (MOUs) have been signed with Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
Through these collaborations, the Academy plans to explore several key initiatives:
- Championing music creators at all levels, providing them with a platform and advocacy.
- Empowering creators through enhanced training via its online learning platform, GRAMMY GOTM, offering educational programs tailored to the needs of regional music creators.
- Producing original content that celebrates the rich musical heritage and dynamic emerging scenes of Africa and the Middle East.
- Enhancing support for existing members, with cross-cultural learnings benefiting all music creators.
- Advocating for strong Intellectual Property (IP) legislation and protections for music creators.
- Fueling the music economy by collaborating with partners to develop and strengthen the creative economy in Africa and the Middle East.
- Publishing a series of reports highlighting the Academy’s research and insights into these music markets.
“The Recording Academy is dedicated to supporting music creators around the world,” said Panos A. Panay, Recording Academy President. “Our expansion efforts into these fast-growing regions reflect our commitment to fostering a truly global music community, where creators at every stage of their careers and from every corner of the world have the resources and support they need to thrive.”
This initiative coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards and comes just months after Seville hosted the first-ever GRAMMY Awards show held overseas. Additionally, last year, the Recording Academy partnered with the U.S. State Department on an initiative to promote peace through music.
Reacting to the news, Ghanaian creative entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng, based in the United Kingdom, expressed her excitement. As the Chief Executive of GUBA Enterprise, she has been instrumental in incorporating African music into the Grammy’s operations. “Finally, the news is out – Grammy Africa! As a senior consultant to the President and CEO of the Recording Academy, we have been working behind the scenes for this historic moment,” she wrote on social media.
In 2023, the Recording Academy created a new category for music from Africa, following discussions about representing Afrobeats and other African music genres. The Best African Music Performance category, featuring genres such as Ghanaian drill and highlife, is one of three new slots added to the 2024 Grammy Awards, alongside Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording.
With these efforts, the Recording Academy is poised to significantly impact the global music landscape, ensuring that music creators from Africa and the Middle East receive the recognition and support they deserve.