The African music industry, the continent’s diverse genres and talents are not only conquering global charts but also earning a spot on the prestigious Grammy stage.
From electrifying performances at the FIFA World Cup to the introduction of a new Grammy category, African music is experiencing a transformative breakthrough, overcoming longstanding structural challenges.
The new Grammy category, “Best African Music Performance”, to be awarded this Sunday, symbolizes an important recognition of local musical traditions. This recognition includes “recordings that use unique local expressions from across the African continent,” reflecting the richness and diversity of African music.
Sub-Saharan Africa emerges as the fastest-growing region for recorded music revenue in 2022, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s World Music Report 2023. This rise is fueled by newer genres such as Afrobeats and amapiano, which combine different West African styles and South African kwaito, respectively.
The Grammy category highlights various African music genres, including Afrobeat, Afropop, soukous, shaabi, chaabi, benga, bongo flava, fuji and high life. These genres, deeply rooted in cultural expressions, resonate on dance floors not only on the continent but worldwide.
Streaming platforms play a key role in promoting African music across borders. Spotify-only Afrobeats have seen a remarkable growth of over 500% since 2017. Hits like Nigerian artist Rema’s “Calm Down” and South African sensation Tyla’s “Water” exemplify the global success and influence of African artists .
LeriQ, a Nigerian producer influential on Burna Boy’s Grammy Award-winning album Twice As Tall, highlights the uniqueness of the African sound, emphasizing rhythm and emotion over technical details. This distinctive approach to music resonates with the continent’s young and culturally vibrant population, which is set to make up a quarter of the world’s population by 2050.
Despite the global appeal, challenges remain, such as limited purchasing power and infrastructure constraints. However, with increasing attention from major labels and a commitment to developing local talent, the industry is poised for further growth.
African music is not only a source of entertainment but also a powerful tool against oppression and injustice. Songs from the continent have become megaphones amplifying voices against oppressive governments and social injustices.
As the industry gains global recognition, there is optimism among industry experts like Efe Omorogbe, music executive, who sees the huge potential of African music. From Cape Town to Cairo and even in the diaspora, the continent’s music has become a cultural force that cannot be ignored, and the introduction of a Grammy category confirms its undeniable importance on the world stage.