The Recording Academy is reportedly contemplating adding an Afrobeats category at the 65th Grammys – in 2023.
While addressing a press conference in Ghana, the CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., made the reveal, saying he had met with gatekeepers of the genre that is now all the rave, to discuss the prospective move.
“We had a virtual listening session where we heard from Afrobeats creators and just talked about. What are the different subgenres? What are the needs? What are the desires? And my goal is to represent all genres of music, including Afrobeats, at the Grammys,” He intimates.
Issuing clarity that that the move is far from finalized, Mason added: “I don’t decide categories. The categories are decided by proposals submitted by members. The members can say ‘Harvey, I want an Afrobeat category…’ So that process has started now. I think the listening session last week was very important, very valuable, and a the step towards that path.”The Afrobeats explosion over the last few years has been heard the world over, with stars like Burna Boy and Wizkid catapulting to sky-high levels.
