Burna Boy: Twitter,Instagram React over Naomi Campbell’s Opinion of Grammys Categorization of Afrobeats

BrandPower Magazine 29/01/2020Last Updated: 29/01/2020

2 minutes read

Nigerian ace singer Burna Boy was nominated for the 62nd Grammy Awards in the Best World Music Album category but lost to Beninise legend, Angelique Kidjo.

The event, which took place on Sunday, January 26, 2020, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Californian has been trending for discussions on Twitter as it has gathered reactions from the larger number of Tweeps.

One of them was legendary supermodel and actress, Naomi Campbell who called out the Grammys on both Twitter and Instagram for Burna Boy’s loss due to the academy’s “neglectful categorization” of Afrobeats.

She wrote:

First, I want to say deepest congratulations to @angeliquekidjo for her award on Sunday, and thank you to you for spreading light and opening minds through your music… •

And to our AFRICAN GIANT, @burnaboygram… 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. •

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. •

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/B735AWPncn2/

Her opinion has however, garnered a lot of reactions on both platforms as some endorsed her while others have criticized her.

Below are some reactions:

TWITTER:

She does a lot to really promote the culture.

— Owotorufa-JNR🦍 (@Blackface026) January 28, 2020

Well said but why do we even have to depend on the Grammys as a sign of success including the Oscars. We know it is a white thing and will remain so, let's do our own thing.

— 🚫 if you can't be civil (@jayoluf) January 28, 2020