Nigerian music icon Davido, also known as David Adeleke, has hailed the inclusion of an African music category at the prestigious Grammy Awards, describing it as a long overdue acknowledgment of the continent’s rich musical heritage.
The 66th edition of the Grammy Awards introduced the inaugural Best African Music Performance category, featuring an impressive lineup of nominees including Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, Ayra Starr, Olamide, and South Africa’s Tyla and Musa Keys.
In an interview with Billboard’s Tetris Kelly at the Pre-Grammy show, Davido emphasized the significance of the new category, asserting that African music has deserved recognition on the global stage for generations.
“I feel good being a nominee for the first time and getting three nominations. But the Best African Music Performance category feels long overdue for African music to be celebrated. I’m talking about generations way before mine, Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade… Sunny Ade has been nominated, I believe, but now there is an African category,” Davido expressed.
“If there was an African category years ago, a lot of people would have had the opportunity to be recognized by the Grammy. Finally, at least it is happening now,” he added.
The winner of the Best African Music Performance award will be announced tonight at the Grammy Award Premiere Ceremony, held at the prestigious Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
