Accepting the Best World Music Album award from his home in Lagos, Nigeria, Burna, 29, said: “This is a huge achievement for my generation of Africans around the world.”
“This should be a lesson to all Africans out there: No matter where you are, no matter what you plan to do, you can achieve …,” he said.
Another Nigerian winner was artist Wizkid, 30, who was recognized for his collaboration with US singer Beyonce on ‘Brown Skin Girl’ which won Best Music Video at the 63rd Grammy Awards.
Beyoncé’s album “The Lion King: The Gift” – which she described as her “love letter to Africa” – features collaborations with Afrobeats artists including Shatta Wale and Tiwa Savage.
For music industry audiences like Aibee Abidoye, these awards win signals that Afrobeats music is “here to stay.”
Abidoye, a music industry agency from Nigeria, told CNN on Monday that Burna Boy’s Grammy win is indeed a big win for Africa.
“The Grammy is the most recognizable award in the world and most musicians look up to … with this win, African music – Afrobeats are here to remain a relevant genre of music, “said Abidoye, Executive Vice President of Nigerian Chocolate City ‘s record label.
Afrobeats have struck a chord with young people across the globe. “Oliver Twist” hit D’Banj was one of the first to break forward when it reached number nine in the UK charts in 2012.
Drake and WizKid “One Dance” topped the US Billboard Hot 100 card for 10 consecutive weeks after its release in May 2016 and the UK announced the release of the first singles card Afrobeats in Britain launched in 2020.
Inspired by myth
Fela’s sons, Femi and Seun Kuti, are successful musicians in their own right and have been nominated at various times for the Grammy but without winning.
“When you think of Afrobeat, the original genre – that’s from the Kutis, which was named years ago, was never accepted as a thing. It was always a kind of side. But what we see now a capture of the difference in music, “Abidoye said.
“They couldn’t ignore Burna Boy … people think he’s really featuring Afrobeats, so it makes sense to win,” she said.
Burna Boy is like Fela Kuti. Just like Kuti, he has been vocal about social issues across the African continent as he fights against the violent violence of citizens by politicians and security representatives in his home country.
He retired in 2013 when his debut album ‘LIFE,’ was followed by ‘Redemption’ in 2015, ‘Outside’ in 2018, ‘African Giant’ in 2019 and the Grammy winning album ‘Twice as ‘Tall’ in 2020.
Burna Boy’s ‘Anybody’ album, from his album ‘African Giant’ was listed among US President Barack Obama’s favorite songs in 2019 and won Best International BET Act in 2020.
‘Africa on the map’
Talent manager Kimani Moore told CNN that Burna Boy’s win will inspire other African artists to create projects that will appeal to a global audience.
“He’s set the pace … for the longest time, we (Africans) have been seen at the same level as everyone else,” Moore said, adding that Burna Boy has given Afrobeats to the world. “
Others see Burna’s win as a preparation for a new generation of African artists creating their own unique sounds.
Agnes Nonsizi, a Kenyan entertainment advertiser, told CNN that Burna Boy’s action at the Grammys has “put Africa on the map.”
“If he continues at the same pace, the same heroes may be able to reproduce next year,” Nonsizi said.
“But if it doesn’t, I’d like to see another African artist, maybe Sauti Sol on the same stage,” she said.
The country’s Ministry of Information and Culture said in a statement on Twitter that the awards “represented a global consensus for the Afrobeat music genre that has controlled Nigeria’s growing dominance in the world. music. “
‘African Giant’
“I don’t appreciate the way my name is written so little on your bill. I’m A GIANT AFRICAN and it won’t be reduced to whatever that tiny little writing means. Please rectify matters promptly, “he wrote.
This Grammy award certainly promises to make Burna Boy’s name embellished in bold letters at festivals around the world.