Davido, Angélique Kidjo others praise Grammy organisers
Afropop singer David ‘Davido‘ Adeleke, Angélique Kidjo, and Afreximbank’s president, Dr. Benedict Okey Oramah have showered encomium on the organisers of the Grammy Awards following their commitment to support music creators in Africa and the Middle East on a global scale.
The Academy recently agreed with ministries of cultures and key stakeholders across the Middle East and Africa to collaborate on a framework to bolster the Academy’s presence and services in these rapidly growing music regions.
Reacting to the development, Davido, who was nominated in three categories at the 66th Grammy Awards, opined that the initiative would promote Africa’s rich cultural diversity.
“As an African musician, I’m excited about the Recording Academy’s expansion into Africa and the Middle East. It acknowledges our vibrant talent and the global influence of African music. This initiative offers a platform for creators, elevating our cultural expressions and uniting us through music,” he said.
On her part, Beninese singer and songwriter Kidjo expressed excitement over the Academy’s expansion.
“As a member of the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs and a music creator, I’m thrilled to see that the Academy is embarking on a path to extend the organisation’s efforts to support music creators on a global scale,” she said.
“It’s incredible to see that these expansion efforts reflect the commitment to foster a global music community, where creators at every stage of their careers and from every corner of the world have the support they need to thrive.”
The 63-year-old performer described Africa as a continent of music and young, passionate music makers.
Kidjo said she was proud to see the Academy forming partnerships with Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and other countries.
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Dr. Benedict Okey Oramah said the creative industry had the potential to boost GDP with the Academy’s expansion.
“With Afreximbank’s support for Africa’s creative industries and endorsement of the Recording Academy’s expansion, we recognize the immense potential this sector has to boost GDP and create employment for the youth.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to the Academy’s founding nations and the leadership of the Recording Academy for this remarkable opportunity to blend 65 years of invaluable experience with our continent’s vibrant music and creative ecosystem,” he said.
