African music is finally getting the recognition it deserves, this is after the Recording Academy added three new categories for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
These include, Best African Music Performance, Best Alternative Jazz Album, and Best Pop Dance Recording.
In a public statement, the Grammys included Genge music alongside other notable African music genres, including Afrobeats, Amapiano, Bongo flava, and Ndombolo in the 2024 Grammy considerations under the newly-crafted Best African Music Performance category.
“A track and singles category that recognizes recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent. Highlighting regional melodic, harmonic and rhythmic musical traditions, the category includes but is not limited to the Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afrobeats, Alte, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Genge, Kizomba, Chimurenga, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz genres, ” the statement read.
Genge is a Kenyan music genre created by veteran rappers Jua Cali and Nonini and masterfully fashioned by producer Clemmo.
Although no Kenyan has ever won a Grammy, there are a few Africans who have won the prestigious award like, South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nigeria’s Tems and Burna Boy, Cameroon’s Richard Bona, Benin’s Angelique Kidjo and Mali’s Tinariwen have all won Grammy Awards.
This news has been celebrated by top Kenyan stars including Nonini, JuaCali and fans alike.
