A seismic shift is stirring across the African music scene, and it’s not just about the next viral hit. In a moment of cultural clarity, legendary producer and Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy called out the uncomfortable truth many have danced around for years:
“The GRAMMYs is like the Headies to Americans. It shouldn’t be the standard for African music.”
His statement wasn’t just commentary; it was a wake-up call. Here’s why this moment matters, and what it says about power, pride, and the future of African sound.
Don Jazzy framed it perfectly: expecting the GRAMMYs to consistently celebrate African music is like expecting Nigeria’s Headies to faithfully reward artists from Burkina Faso. It’s a system designed elsewhere, for others. The GRAMMYs, at its core, is an American institution and its priorities, tastes, and mechanisms are built around Western industry rhythms, not ours.
Africans themselves have helped inflate the GRAMMYs’ global stature in music by treating it like the ultimate seal of approval. Every time we measure our artists’ worth by Grammy nominations alone, we shrink our own stages and invisibly undermine homegrown platforms like AFRIMA, Headies, Ghana Music Awards, AFRIMMA, and Soundcity MVP Awards.
This isn’t about boycotting global recognition. Winning a Grammy is an incredible feat and deserves applause. But balance is key. We must equally pour energy, investment, and respect into our own awards, so they’re not seen as local alternatives but as prestigious destinations.
With Afrobeats dominating charts, Amapiano moving global crowds, and African artists topping streams worldwide, there’s never been a better moment to build our own table, not just wait for seats at someone else’s.
Imagine a day when awards like AFRIMA or The Headies are so iconic that the world tunes in live, not as outsiders, but as admirers of a cultural pinnacle. That’s the future Don Jazzy is pointing toward; one where we don’t just enter the conversation, but one where we lead it.
The question now is: Are we ready to listen and build?
