Grammy's Best African Music Performance category sparks debate

The introduction of the Grammy's Best African Music Performance category has sparked controversy, just a year after its debut.

While South Africa's Tyla won the inaugural award with her song Water, this year’s nominations have stirred debate, especially with the inclusion of US R&B star Chris Brown.

His song Sensational, featuring Nigerian artists Davido and Lojay, blends Afrobeats, but his participation in an African music category has raised questions about whether non-African artists should be recognized.

Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. defended inclusivity in music, stressing the importance of creativity and cross-genre collaboration.

Meanwhile, critics argue that Afrobeats’ dominance in the category may overshadow other African music styles, such as amapiano, which is gaining global popularity.