This comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding the
2024 Grammy Awards, where several Nigerian artists, including Burna Boy,
Davido, Asake and Ayra Starr could not secure a win in their respective
categories.
Addressing the concerns in a viral video, Manson said that
Grammy winners are chosen based on votes from members of the Recording Academy,
who are music professionals in the United States.
He said that the selection process is not influenced by
committees, labels, or journalists.
“You have to understand that the only way to win is to have
the member of the academy vote for you. To be a member of the academy you have
to be a professional, working in music in the United States for now. Hopefully,
we grow that,” he said.
“But right now, if you are working professionally in the
United States you can become a member of the recording academy.
“Once you are a member of the recording academy, all the
music is submitted, the members listen to it and they evaluate it on the
quality of the art.
“Not the sales, not the streams, not how many fans, but
purely on the opinion. It is very hard, as you all know because it is
subjective.
“It is no best song or best record, it is just the opinion
of that membership of that particular year. That is how you win a Grammy. The
voters vote. There is no committee, no journalist, and there are no labels.
“It is the music professionals voting for their peers,” he
said.
Jay Z, the US rapper, also slammed the Grammy Awards for
“never giving” Beyonce, his wife, ‘Album of the Year’ category in spite of her
impressive record of 32 wins.
During Jay-Z’s acceptance speech for the Dr Dre Global
Impact Award at the Grammys, he stated
further: ‘“some of you will go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed,
some of you may be robbed, some of you don’t even belong in the categories.”
Also, last year, Angelique Kidjo said the Grammy Awards need
to embrace “diversity and gender equality” to survive.
Greg Carr, associate professor in the Department of
Afro-American studies at Howard University, says the music industry was built
on exclusion.
“Once exclusion was no longer an option, the inclusion of
Black music has been curated, at least historically, very carefully, to absorb
that music while minimizing black people,” he says.
BrandIconImae reports that the grammys
snub sparked widespread disappointment and frustration among fans and the
Nigerian music community.
Social media platforms are flooded with expressions of
disappointment, as fans lament the loss of their favourite stars.
The Best African Music Performance category saw South
Africa’s Tyla emerge victorious with her song, “Water”.
Also, in the much-anticipated Best Global Music Album
category, Davido and Burna Boy fell short, with Shakti’s “This Moment”
clinching the coveted award.
The hashtag,
#GrammySnubNaija, trended on X formerly Twitter, with fans venting their
frustration over what they perceived as a missed opportunity for Nigerian music
to gain international recognition.
The Twitterverse became a virtual town square for fans to
voice their disappointment, frustration, and disbelief.
NaijaMusicLover tweeted, “I can’t believe what I just
witnessed. All our hopes dashed in one night. Davido and Burna Boy deserved
better.”
X user,
@AfrobeatsQueen, shared a meme of a shocked face, captioned, “Me
watching the Grammys realising they really snubbed our Nigerian kings.
#ShameOnGrammys.”
@NaijaJollofQueen wrote, “This is beyond heartbreaking. Our
artistes have been making waves globally, and the Grammys failed to acknowledge
their impact. Disappointed but not defeated. We’ll keep shining.
In a series of passionate tweets, @MusicAficionado
expressed, “It’s not just about winning awards. Nigerian music has influenced
the world. Our artistes have elevated the game. Grammy or not, we are a force
to be reckoned with. #NaijaStandUp.”
Celebrities also joined the conversation stating, “Sending
love and respect to our stars who gave their all. We see your hard work and
dedication. The Grammys might have missed it, but the world knows who runs the
show. #NaijaToTheWorld,” they said.
In spite of the disappointment, some X users emphasise the
need to focus on the bigger picture.
@AfrobeatInsider tweeted, “Let’s not forget the impact
Nigerian music has made globally. Awards are just one part of the journey. Our
artistes have opened doors for Afrobeats worldwide. The movement continues.”
Burna Boy received four nominations in
2024: Best Melodic Rap Performance (“Sittin’ on Top of the World” with 21
Savage); Best Global Music Performance (Alone); Best African Music Performance
(City Boys) and Best Global Music Album (I Told Them).
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