The 66th Grammy Awards just concluded about a day ago, leaving many African fans of the Afrobeats music genre stunned by the outcomes. Nigerian stars such as Burna Boy (Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu), Asake (Ahmed Ololade), Ayra Starr (Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe), and South Africa's Pop star Tyla (Tyla Laura Seethal) were nominated in the categories for Best African Music Performance.

Additionally, Davido's "Timeless" album and Burna Boy's "I Told Them" were nominated for Best Global Music Album, alongside an Indian band named Shakti who ultimately took home the award.

Shakti clinched the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album with their debut studio album, "This Moment," marking a remarkable achievement after a span of 45 years

Let us look at the numbers, Tyla's record-breaking single, "Water," captivated audiences worldwide and made a significant impact on the charts. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at an impressive number 67, marking the first time in 55 years that a South African artist achieved such a milestone. Furthermore, "Water" boasts an impressive five million streams on Spotify and has garnered an astonishing 1 billion views on TikTok.

On the other hand, Davido's track "Unavailable" made waves, particularly in the UK, where it sold over 100,000 units, nearing a coveted silver certification.

Additionally, the song debuted on US Urban Radio on July 25th, 2023, and quickly amassed over 50 million streams within just three months of its release, making it the first song by a Nigerian artist released in 2023 to achieve such a milestone on Spotify. Notably, Davido's album "Timeless" also achieved significant success, reaching 100 million streams on the music streaming platform Spotify.

The album quickly made waves, garnering 4.19 million streams on Spotify within 24 hours of its release, surpassing the previous record set by Burna Boy's "Love, Damini." Burna Boy's album, "I Told Them," made history as the only African artist to peak at number one on the UK album charts. It also shattered records by achieving the most simultaneous number ones for an African album, dominating the charts in 69 countries worldwide.

Moreover, every track from "I Told Them" made it to Apple Music's Daily Top 100 in an astounding 91 countries globally. On Shazam's charts, the track "City Boys" soared to No. 1 in Nigeria and No. 16 on the Global Charts. It also became the biggest and strongest debut for a solo song by an African artist in Spotify history

The album's impact extended further as it propelled 10 songs to Apple Music's Global Daily Top 100, setting a new record for the most simultaneous entries by an African artist. Notably, "Cheat on Me (feat. Dave)" stood out by peaking at No. 44 on the global chart and securing a top 10 spot in 32 countries, including the UK and Nigeria.

Given these monumental achievements, it's perplexing why the Grammys awarded Best Global Album to an artist who may not have achieved the same level of global recognition.

Ayra Star's hit single "Rush" made an impressive debut, entering the Billboard US Afrobeat Song chart at number four. Its international success extended across multiple countries, including Canada, Lebanon, Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, and France, where it peaked at number five. Notably, "Rush" also made waves on the UK Singles Chart, solidifying Ayra Starr's position as the first Nigerian lead female artist to accomplish this feat.

Asake's "Work of Art" album has achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing 100 million streams on Spotify, marking his second album to reach this impressive feat after "Mr. Money with the Vibe." Standout tracks such as "Amapiano," which was submitted for Best African Music Performance, have contributed to the album's success.

It's often said that numbers don't lie, but the outcome of the Grammys challenges this notion. Despite the incredible achievements and global impact of Afrobeats stars, none walked away with a Grammy, particularly in the Best African Music Performance category.

While Tyla's win was undoubtedly a victory for Africa, it is fair to say that her music might not be the true representation of the African sound. For instance, "Water" blends Afro-pop with elements of Amapiano and Western contemporary pop, potentially diluting its Africanness in the eyes of some listeners.

Furthermore, while Tyla's "Water" may have achieved commercial success, the lyrical content glorifies sex without portraying the true African narrative. In contrast, Ayra Star's "Rush" paints a vivid picture of a young African woman striving to excel in challenging circumstances, offering a more authentic representation of African experiences. Given this perspective, Ayra Star should have been the rightful recipient of the Grammy for Best African Music Performance.

In my view, it seems that the Grammys may have utilized prominent African acts like Davido to bolster their event, as evidenced by his numerous interviews promoting the ceremony. However, this doesn't necessarily indicate a deep understanding or appreciation of African music.

It's possible that the inclusion of African categories is more about optics and appearing inclusive rather than a genuine interest in celebrating African musical craftsmanship. What is even more perplexing is the fact that as Tyla walked to retrieve her jar, the band was playing Fela Kuti's song 'Water.' It almost seems to suggest that perhaps they mistook Tyla’s ‘Water’ for the water for Fela’s.

In light of these sentiments, some may argue that it's time for the Grammys and similar institutions to step back and allow African music to flourish without external interference.

But then, why are we so mad about their decision? I think we are partly to blame for thinking that these people are the epitome of music connoisseur. They are not. The frustration over the Grammys' decision reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the Western-centric perspective that often dominates the global music industry.

It's true that Africa has an incredibly rich musical heritage, and it's essential to recognize and celebrate that. However, the power dynamics within the industry have historically favoured Western narratives and standards, leading to African artists feeling overlooked or misunderstood.

Part of the solution lies in African creatives taking ownership of their craft and building robust infrastructures to support their industries. By establishing strong record labels, publishing houses, branding agencies, and marketing firms, African artists can cultivate their brands and amplify their voices on their own terms. Moreover, organizing prestigious awards ceremonies within Africa can provide a platform for recognizing and honouring local talent while also showcasing it to the world.

Ultimately, it's about reclaiming agency and autonomy within the music industry, ensuring that African artists are not just passive participants but active shapers of the global musical landscape. By doing so, Africa can indeed reclaim its position as the root of all music and assert its rightful place on the world stage.

How are decisions made at the Grammy?

Duringa an interview with NBC Network,  Deborah Dugan, former CEO of the Recording Academy, explained that  twelve thousand Academy members vote to determine the top 20 nominees for the award show. However, four years ago, two before the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony could be held, Dugan alleged that sometimes the members can be influenced.

Additionally, she stated that members with business affiliations with the artists can also play a significant role in determining who is nominated and who wins. She further explained that sometimes, artists who are nominated are even present in these rooms while the voting takes place. She added that the board at the Grammys was also permitted to add artists who did not make it to the 20-member list to the nominations, making it a rigged event.