By Seli Baisie
In a major development, the Recording Academy announced on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 the inclusion of the Best African Music Performance as part of two other new categories for the 2024 Grammys.
The other two are the Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording.
This exciting addition recognizes genres such as Ghanaian Drill, Highlife, Afrobeat, and more.
A dedicated platform for African artistes to showcase their talent globally, the introduction of this category marks a significant milestone for the music industry on the continent.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, expressed pride in these changes, highlighting their commitment to diversity and evolving musical landscapes.
Enthusiastic responses flooded social media as Ghanaians and music enthusiasts celebrated this groundbreaking recognition.
Some attributed this achievement to Harvey Mason Jr.’s visit to Ghana last year and discussions with key industry players.
This news opens up new opportunities for Ghanaian artistes to shine on the international stage, further enriching the vibrant tapestry of African music.
Ghanaian Drill
Ghanaian drill is a subgenre of hip-hop music that originated in Ghana. It draws its influences from the drill music style that originated in Chicago, United States, but has developed its own unique characteristics and sound in the Ghanaian context.
Fast-rising Ghanaian rapper, Jay Bahd, a member of Asakaa Boys describes, Asakaa as, “[It] is a soul music, the kind of words we use are really relatable to most of our brothers and sisters here [in Kumasi]”.
Here are some social media reactions;
