By Mariselah Kimbio. (15/06/2023)
Kenya music is finally getting the recognition it deserves after Genge music was nominated as one of the new categories added for the 66th annual Grammy Awards under the Best African Music performance category.
A statement by the Grammys on 13th June announcing that the new category was added to the Grammy Awards.
“Our goal at the Recording Academy is to recognize and honor the best in music from across the globe. Today we are proud to announce a new category for the 66th Grammy Awards – Best African Music Performance,” indicated the statement.
“A track and singles category that recognizes recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent. Highlighting regional melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic musical traditions, the category includes but is not limited to the Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afrobeats, Alte, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Genge, Kizomba, Chimurenga, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz genres, ” the statement read.
Genge music originated in the 1990s in Nairobi, with one of their greatest producers being Clemo.
The music later paved the way for other subgenres like gengetone, now one of the most popular genres in Kenya. It features artists like Ochungulo Family, Boondocks Gang, Angry Panda, Rico Gang, and Vintage Clan.
The original godfathers of Genge, Nonini, and Jua Kali, shared the joy of the news with their fans across all their social media platforms.
“Ngeli bado ni ya GENGE! Mama, we MADE IT!!” Jua Kali tweeted.