Grammy Awards: Africa finally has its own category – but at what cost?
FOR the first time in its 65-year history, the Grammy Awards in the US has introduced an African category, Best African Music Performance, which recognises the song of the year. The Grammys is the most prestigious award in the largest music industry in the world. Its focus has always been US music styles in categories like pop, R&B, rap, country, jazz and classical. ERIC CHARRY, Professor of Music, Wesleyan University As musical styles from abroad (or in Spanish) have moved into the US commercial market, the Grammy Foundation has tried to recognise them – beyond the generic “folk music” category…
