International supermodel Naomi Campbell has called out Grammy Awards organizers – The Recording Academy – as she demanded special recognition for Afrobeats genre of music in its award categories.
The model who stated this on her Instagram page, posted a photo of Angelique Kidjo and Burna Boy with a lengthy caption expressing how she felt about the loss of Burna Boy during the award ceremony.
It would be recalled that the 62nd Grammy Awards took place on the 27th of January, at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California with award nomination in 84 categories.
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Afrobeat giant, Burna Boy was nominated in the ‘World Music’ category alongside the winner for the category, the music legend, Angelique Kidjo.
While at first congratulating Beninosis legend, Angelique Kidjo on her Grammy win, she also sent out a shoutout to Burna Boy, saying;
It is only due to lack of education that you have not been honored with the accolades you so truly deserve. You are always a winner in our hearts. ALWAYS.
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Naomi Campbell also expressed her disappointment in the Recording Academy, as she schooled the academy on what the music genre called “Afrobeat” is and how it affect lives across the continent.
And to The @RecordingAcademy,
There is something that brings joy, strength and happiness to myself, and to so many people that hear it, and it is called Afrobeats. Afrobeats is a musical genre played on mainstream and primetime radio not only across the continent of Africa, but across the world…Recently, the genre was categorized into your ‘World Music’ category at the 2020 Grammys. This misrepresentation diminishes an entire genre in which such a high standard of talent has emerged; a genre that has been a force of hope and positivity for many, and a vehicle for artistry on the continent of Africa.
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She also urged the academy to give Afrobeats the recognition it deserves through its categorization, saying;
Please take the next 363 days to reassess and reflect on your perspective of ‘World Music.’ Did the world get to vote for this award, or was it only the people in the United States a part of The Recording Academy? What will this neglectful categorization of music mean to individual cultures? Cultures who contribute their blood, sweat and tears, and every level of their creativity and work ethic into making music for YOU and for all of us.
Please get up to speed on the state of all popular music today, and include Afrobeats Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and all the subcategories that this genre so deserves – just as any other respected and recognized musical genre. •
This is bigger than you, so open your eyes, ears and minds and treat us right and with the respect we deserve. ❤️💛💚❤️💛💚 #ForTheCulture #NAOMIAFRICA #grammys
This is coming after several Nigerians also expressed their disappointment about Burna Boy not winning at the recently held Grammy Awards despite global recognition.
