By Edem Latsu Nukafu
The announcement of the nominations for the 66th Grammy Awards has been significant for the global music community.
The nominations were not granted to Ghanaian artists like Stonebwoy, Rocky Dawuni, Amaarae, MOG Music, and Juls, implying their exceptional works were not considered.
In the Best African Music Performance category, Nigerian talents such as Burna Boy, Davido, Asake, Olamide, Ayra Starr, and South Africa’s Tyla are shining in the spotlight.
Even without any Ghanaian nominees, the nominations highlight the diverse musical landscape of the African continent.
Burna Boy proceeds to cement his global impact with a nomination in the Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Sittin on Top of the World,” featuring 21 Savage, stressing the ongoing acknowledgement of African excellence on the world stage.
See the nominees below.
■ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Boygenius – “The Record”
Janelle Monáe – “The Age of Pleasure”
Jon Batiste – “World Music Radio”
Lana Del Rey – “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd”
Miley Cyrus – “Endless Summer Vacation”
Olivia Rodrigo – “Guts”
SZA – “SOS”
Taylor Swift – “Midnights”
■ RECORD OF THE YEAR
Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For?”
Boygenius – “Not Strong Enough”
Jon Batiste – “Worship”
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
Olivia Rodrigo – “Vampire”
SZA – “Kill Bill”
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”
■ SONG OF THE YEAR
Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For?”
Dua Lipa – “Dance the Night”
Jon Batiste – “Butterfly”
Lana Del Rey – “A&W”
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
Olivia Rodrigo – “Vampire”
SZA – “Kill Bill”
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
■ BEST NEW ARTIST
Coco Jones
Gracie Abrams
Fred Again..
Ice Spice
Jelly Roll
Noah Kahan
Victoria Monét
The War and Treaty
■ BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For?”
Doja Cat – “Paint the Town Red”
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
Olivia Rodrigo – “Vampire”
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
■ BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
Labrinth Featuring Billie Eilish – “Never Felt So Alone”
Lana Del Rey Featuring Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace”
Miley Cyrus Featuring Brandi Carlile – “Thousand Miles”
SZA Featuring Phoebe Bridgers – “Ghost in the Machine”
Taylor Swift Featuring Ice Spice – “Karma”
■ PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL
Jack Antonoff
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Hit-Boy
Metro Boomin
Daniel Nigro
■ BEST RAP ALBUM
Drake & 21 Savage – “Her Loss”
Killer Mike – “Michael”
Metro Boomin – “Heroes And Villians”
NAS – “King’s Disease 3”
Travis Scott – “UTOPIA”
■ BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
■ BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Brothers Osborne – “Brothers Osborne”
Kelsea Ballerini – “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat”
Lainey Wilson – “Bell Bottom Country”
Tyler Childers – “Rustin’ in the Rain”
Zach Bryan – “Zach Bryan”
■ BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
Brandy Clark – “Buried”
Chris Stapleton – “White Horse”
Dolly Parton – “The Last Thing on My Mind”
Luke Combs – “Fast Car”
Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
■ BEST ROCK ALBUM
Foo Fighters – “But Here We Are”
Greta Van Fleet – “Starcatcher”
Metallica – “72 Seasons”
Paramore – “This Is Why”
Queens of the Stone Age – “In Times New Roman…”
■ BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
■ BEST R&B ALBUM
Babyface – “Girls Night Out”
Coco Jones – “What I Didn’t Tell You”
Emily King – “Special Occasion”
Summer Walker – “Clear 2: Soft Life EP”
Victoria Monét – “Jaguar II”
■ BEST R&B PERFORMANCE
Chris Brown – “Summer Too Hot”
Coco Jones – “ICU”
Robert Glasper Featuring Sir & Alex Isley – “Back to Love”
SZA – “Kill Bill”
Victoria Monét – “How Does It Make You Feel”
Writer’s email address: edemlatsu093@gmail.com
