Nigerian music sensation Davido, also known as David Adeleke, expressed his belief that the introduction of an African music category at the Grammy Awards is long overdue. This move comes as the Grammys unveiled a new Best African Music Performance category for their 66th edition, featuring notable African artists such as Burna Boy, Asake, Ayra Starr, Olamide, and South Africa’s Tyla and Musa Keys as the inaugural nominees.
In an exclusive interview with Billboard’s Tetris Kelly at the Pre-Grammy show, Davido stressed the importance of recognizing African music on a global platform. He highlighted the significant contributions of iconic musicians such as Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, asserting that their legacies should have been celebrated earlier. He emphasized that the introduction of an African music category should have taken place generations before, expressing satisfaction that it is finally happening now.
The highly anticipated Best African Music Performance award is set to be presented at the Grammy Award Premiere Ceremony, taking place at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. This historic moment signifies a step forward in acknowledging the rich musical heritage of the African continent on a prestigious international stage.