American R&B artist Chris Brown has secured a nomination in the newly introduced Best African Music Performance category at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards for his hit single Sensational, featuring Nigerian stars Davido and Lojay. This nomination has sparked discussions about the evolving landscape of global music recognition.
Released on October 20, 2023, Sensational is an Afrobeats track that blends Brown’s signature R&B style with the vibrant rhythms of African music.
However, the song’s nomination in an African music category has raised eyebrows, sparking debates about award classification criteria. Critics argue that while the track features African artists and embodies the Afrobeats genre, its lead artist is American—challenging traditional notions of cultural and geographical boundaries in music awards.
This development highlights the growing globalization of music and the complexities award institutions face in categorizing cross-continental collaborations.
GRAMMYs CEO Harvey Mason Jr. addressed the concerns, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, “If we start deciding who can or can’t make a certain type of music, we lose the essence of creativity,” he told reporters, adding that such collaborations are expected in today’s industry.
The 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards takes place today, February 2, 2025, streaming live on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Africa is well represented, with Nigerian artists Yemi Alade, Burna Boy, Tems, and a joint nomination for Asake & Wizkid in various categories.
By: Kobina Baidoo
