The Recording Academy is expanding its horizons by adding three new categories to the prestigious Grammy Awards. Among the new additions are the Best African Music Performance, Best Pop Dance Recording, and Best Alternative Jazz Album.
These changes, approved during the recent Board of Trustees meeting, will take effect at the upcoming 66th Grammys, which will be broadcast live in early 2024.
The inclusion of the Best African Music Performance category signifies the global impact and rise of African acts and the Afrobeats genre.
Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems have not only topped charts worldwide but have also become streaming sensations.
This new category aims to recognize recordings that embody unique local expressions from various African subgenres, such as Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, Afro pop, Bongo Flava, Ethio jazz, Kizomba, High Life, Fuji, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian drill, Afro-house, and South African hip-hop.
Also, read; Nigerian Chef Hilda Baci Sets Guinness World Record for Longest Cooking Marathon
Previously, African-based songs predominated the nominations in the Best Global Music Performance category, which launched in 2022.
The addition of the Best African Music Performance award will provide greater opportunities for songs from other global genres, such as Latin music, K-pop, and Arabic music, to secure nominations for Best Global Music Performance.
Another significant addition is the Best Pop Dance Recording category, which will allow pop stars who release dance-flavored music to compete without being overshadowed by acts rooted in dance music.
Previously, dance songs competed in the Best Dance/Electronic Recording category, attracting diverse winners from Beyoncé and Janet Jackson to Skrillex and The Chemical Brothers.
This new category grants pop stars who don’t cross over into other genres a chance to earn more Grammy nominations, expanding their recognition beyond categories like Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance.
Additionally, the Grammys have introduced the Best Alternative Jazz Album category to acknowledge the hybrid nature of jazz that blends with other genres such as R&B, hip-hop, classical, contemporary improvisation, experimental, pop, rap, electronic/dance music, and spoken word.
These changes reflect the Recording Academy’s commitment to embracing diverse musical landscapes and providing artists from all backgrounds with a platform to showcase their talents.
By expanding the Grammy categories, the organization aims to honor the ever-evolving music industry and the artists who continue to push boundaries and captivate audiences worldwide.
