“We should stop sending in submissions and create our own award,” Ikechukwu urged Nigerian artists to refrain from submitting their songs for Grammy consideration.
“They took all of us over there, used us, and betrayed us.” Ikechukwu accused the Grammys of trying to compartmentalise Afrobeats.
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Nigerian music fans, along with rapper Ikechukwu, voiced their disappointment on social media after the 66th Grammys unfolded quite differently than many had hoped. Several highly anticipated nods for Afrobeats stars went unrecognised, leaving a sense of frustration and confusion.
In the Best African Music Performance category, the award went to South African singer Tyla’s “Water,” edging out fan favourites like Davido’s “Unavailable” and the collaborative “Amapiano” by Asake and Olamide. Ayra Starr’s “Rush” also missed out on recognition in the same category.
Beyond the African music category, disappointment extended to the broader Global Music categories. Both Davido’s “Feel” and Burna Boy’s “Alone” lost the Best Global Music Performance award to an unexpected winner: “Pashto” by Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain, and Rakesh Chaurasia.
Adding to the surprise, Davido’s ambitious “Timeless” and Burna Boy’s acclaimed “I Told Them” couldn’t capture the Best Global Album award, which ultimately went to Shakti’s “The Moment.”
These outcomes sparked a wave of reactions online, with many fans expressing their discontent and questioning the selection process. While some voiced their disappointment respectfully, others echoed Ikechukwu’s stronger stance, criticising the Recording Academy for potentially overlooking the significance and influence of Afrobeats in the global music scene
