Recording Academy Announces Major Expansion Into Africa And The Middle East

The Recording Academy, the organisation behind the prestigious Grammy Awards, has unveiled a significant global expansion initiative in Africa and the Middle East. The Academy has formalised agreements with various Ministries of Culture and critical stakeholders in these regions to extend support to music creators worldwide.

Collaborations have been established with the Ministries of Culture in Kenya, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Nigeria, and the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Additional partnerships include the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture in South Africa. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) have also been signed with Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

In a statement, Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating,

Music is one of humanity’s greatest natural resources. The people who dedicate themselves to creating music must have support, resources, and opportunities, no matter where they are from.

Panos A. Panay, President of the Recording Academy, highlighted the organisation’s dedication to nurturing a global music community. “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 said.

This expansion into the Middle East and Africa is the first phase of the Academy’s broader plans to support music creators internationally. This initiative aligns with the Academy’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Latin Grammy Awards. It follows last year’s historic Latin Grammys event in Seville, Spain, held outside the United States for the first time. 

International artists have reacted to this significant move by the Recording Academy, including John Legend, Angelique Kidjo and Davido. Davido said,

As an African musician, I’m excited about The Recording Academy’s expansion into Africa and the Middle East. It acknowledges our vibrant talent and the global influence of African music. This initiative offers a platform for creators, elevating our cultural expressions and uniting us through music.

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