The organisers of the just concluded Grammy Awards have received a heavy lashing from music critics, as they played late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s ‘Water No Get Enemy’ after announcing ‘Water’ by South African singer, Tyla, as the winner of the maiden Best African Music Performance category.
Tyla’s Water triumphed over notable tracks by Nigerian artists such as Asake’s Amapiano with Olamide, Davido’s Unavailable featuring Musa Keys, Burna Boy’s City Boys and Ayra Starr’s Rush, to secure her first Grammy win.
Upon the announcement, the jubilation moment was replaced with confusion, particularly amongst Nigerians as Fela’s ever-green song flooded the air, instead of Tyla’s midtempo hit echoing across the venue.
Speaking on this, media personality, Adesope Shopsydoo sparked debates on cultural understanding, pushing for change in Grammy submissions.
He said, ” The band is playing Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Water, whilst somebody that has a different Water was walking on the stage. If you want to know about an organization that has no clue, the Grammy Award has no clue…They know nothing about our culture, we shouldn’t be wasting our energy there. This week was about us coming to America, really putting our flags down, you know, building our bridges with our African-American brothers and sisters, expanding our coasts beyond Africa the continent and embracing them… “
The 66th Grammy Award ceremony was held on February 4, 2024, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, United States.
