In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Burna Boy, the globally acclaimed Afrobeats sensation, hinted at his perceived influence on the inception of the Grammy Awards’ novel category, “Best African Music Performance.”
The Nigerian artist, Burna Boy known as Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu in real life, conveyed a sense of responsibility for the birth of this fresh award, an addition to the Grammy lineup.
Burna Boy’s rapid ascent to worldwide recognition has been remarkable, significantly propelling the Afrobeats genre onto the global platform.
During the interview, he humbly suggested that his accomplishments may have played a role in the Academy’s choice to honor African music with a dedicated category.
Burna Boy Said;
“I do feel a certain degree of responsibility for the introduction of the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category, which is quite pleasing,”.
While expressing gratitude for the recognition of African musical artistry, he also posed pertinent inquiries about the prestige associated with this new accolade.
He pondered whether this category might be perceived as a mere token gesture, lacking the same level of reverence as the established ones.
In his own words:
“I do feel a certain degree of responsibility for the introduction of the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category, which is quite pleasing. However, what exactly does it signify? Is it a consolation prize of sorts? Will it attain comparable prestige? I await its unfolding.”