President of Grow, Unite and Build Africa (GUBA), Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE, has expressed excitement about the Recording Academy’s expansion efforts to support music creators at the global level and the GRAMMY’s entry into Africa.
She said the feat calls for celebration among the music and creative arts fraternity on the African continent.
This week, the Recording Academy, the organization behind the GRAMMY Awards, in a press statement dated June 11, 2024, said it is embarking on a path to extend its efforts to support music creators on a global scale with focus on Africa and the Middle East.
The Academy has agreements 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.
Upon the announcement, Lady Dentaa in excitement, exclaimed, “Finally, the news is out – Grammy Africa!”.
She said, “As a senior consultant for the President and CEO of the Recording Academy (Grammys), I have been working behind the scenes for this historic moment. Over the past year and a half, I have had the privilege of collaborating with the Grammy’s team to make this vision a reality.”
“This journey has included organizing meetings with heads of state and continental leaders to ensure a successful global expansion. I am incredibly thankful to be part of this historic milestone in the global expansion of the Recording Academy” Lady Dentaa indicated.
According to her, the effort by the Recording Academy, portends a great future for the global music industry as the world thrives to be a better place through music and the arts.
“This is exciting because music is one of humanity’s greatest natural resources,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy.
Dentaa added that “It is critical that the people who dedicate themselves to creating music have support, resources and opportunities, no matter where they are from.”
For the past two years, the Academy’s leaders have travelled throughout these regions, participated in listening sessions, received high-level briefings, tours, demonstrations, and obtained insight directly from both the governmental ministries and music creators driving innovation in these markets.
The Academy is working with the Ministries of Culture in Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Nigeria, the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture in South Africa.
Additionally, MoUs have been signed with Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Through these collaborations, and in alignment with our mission, the Academy looks to explore several key initiatives, including: championing music creators at all levels, providing them with a platform and advocacy.
“The Recording Academy is dedicated to supporting music creators around the world,” said Panos A. Panay, Recording Academy President. “Our expansion efforts into these fast-growing regions reflect our commitment to fostering a truly global music community, where creators at every stage of their careers and from every corner of the world have the resources and support they need to thrive,” he added.
This exploration into the Middle East and Africa is only the first phase of plans to support music creators abroad and comes the same year the Academy celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards, and months after Seville hosted the Latin GRAMMY Awards, the first GRAMMY Awards show to be held overseas.
Also, last year, the Recording Academy partnered with the U.S. State Department on an initiative to promote peace through music.
ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY
The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals.
Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honours music’s history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards — music’s only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement.
As the world’s leading society of music professionals, they work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.
