The Grammy Honors, also known simply as the Grammys, are a distinguished set of music honors given out each year to celebrate great achievements in the music industry. Grammy nominations and the awards themselves date back to the mid-twentieth century.
The Grammy Awards were created by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which was established in 1957. On May 4, 1959, the first Grammy Awards ceremony was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. These awards sought to recognize and honor accomplishments in the recording business across a wide range of musical genres.
The original Grammy Awards had only 28 categories, with awards given out across a narrow range of genres. The most prestigious award of the evening was given to Domenico Modugno for his song “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare).” Johnny Horton received the Song of the Year award for “The Battle of New Orleans.”
Henry Mancini received the first Grammy for Album of the Year for the soundtrack to “The Music of Peter Gunn.”
Over the years, many more African performers have garnered Grammy nominations and prizes in numerous categories. The Grammy Awards have remained a forum for recognizing and celebrating the talents of artists from all across the world, including those from Africa.
Notable Ghanaian musicians such as Black Sherif and Stonebwoy were passed over despite their albums receiving widespread appreciation and having the ability to compete in the new Best African Music Performance category.
Here are African Artists who have received nominations in the 2023 Grammy Awards.
Ogbonge Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, Olamide, and Ayra Starr are among the nominees for the 2024 Grammy Awards.
Davido and Burna Boy are among the nominees for the “Best Global Music Performance” award.
Meanwhile, South African artist Tyla (Water) is on the shortlist for “Best African Music Performance.”
Five Nigerians are also among the candidates in this category. Burna Boy (City Boys), Davido (Unavailable), Asake and Olamide (Amapiano), and Ayra Starr (Rush) are among the artists included.
Davido and Burna Boy were both nominated for “Best Global Music Album” for their albums “I Told Them” by Burnaboy and “Timeless” by Davido.
Davido received three nominations in the categories of Global Music Performance, African Music Performance, and Global Music Album.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift has broken the Grammy record for song of the year with her newest nomination.
Swift is the first songwriter to receive seven nominations in the category, surpassing Sir Paul McCartney and Lionel Richie, who each received six.
She was also nominated for Album and record of the Year alongside Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, and SZA.
The other candidates for Song of the Year include Lana Del Rey and Dua Lipa.
Billie Eilish, Jon Batiste, and SZA were also nominated for this category.
Swift received her sixth nomination for album of the year for Midnights, tying her with Barbra Streisand for the most nominations for a female artist.
If she wins, she will be the first artist to be named Album of the Year four times.
