Grammys in Africa: Kenya’s bid reaches a new milestone

Kenya’s bid to host the future African headquarters of the Recording Academy made significant progress on Friday, September 11. Officials from the Grammy Awards organization announced in Nairobi that several key milestones in the project have been achieved, although they did not yet designate the host country.

Kenya is competing with Nigeria and South Africa to host this continental establishment. The Kenyan government has invested $3.9 million in the project, which is presented as a lever to develop music production, studios, labels, and access for African artists to international markets.

Panos A. Panay, president of the Recording Academy, spoke after a meeting held on Wednesday with President William Ruto. He explained that the establishment of the Academy in Africa should be evaluated through the gradual construction of its foundations rather than from a single launch date.

William Ruto had already stated on September 9 that Kenya’s ambition goes beyond organizing a ceremony. The head of state aims to attract investors and infrastructure to Nairobi that can transform music, film, fashion, and digital industries into sources of jobs and exports.

The Recording Academy announced in April a first series of meetings in Kenya focused on talent development, infrastructure, and market access. The country is also participating for the second year in the American Music Mentorship Program, conducted in partnership with the U.S. State Department.

The Academy’s African initiative accompanies the increasing visibility of artists from the continent at the Grammy Awards, particularly through the category for Best African Music Performance. Kenyan artists are set to travel to the United States in October to familiarize themselves with the workings of the international music industry.