Grammy Awards Coming To Kenya After Historic KES 500 Million Deal
Key takeaways
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- Kenya is working on a surprise deal to host the upcoming Grammy Africa Awards, after parting with a whooping 500 million shillings.
- Grammys, a Recording Academy award in the US, introduced the Best African Music Performance category in February 2024, aiming to honor rich African music and highlight the continent’s rich musical heritage.
- President Ruto announced the historic entertainment collaboration at a recent town hall meeting held at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC).
Also read: INTERPOL Launches Major Crackdown on Kenyan Scammers
Kenya’s entertainment sector to benefit from Hollywood’s finest
President William Ruto has facilitated a 500-million-shilling payment, positioning Kenya to host the prestigious Grammy Awards.
The news was broken by his Head of Special Projects & Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi. Mr. Itumbi is a renowned blogger, digital strategist, and elections consultant and has been tasked with improving Kenya’s creative economy.
“The money for Grammys we already paid. We are not about to pay. We already paid,” the president confirmed.
During his recent state visit to the United States, President Ruto toured prominent entertainment spots, including Tyler Perry Studios, where he engaged with some of Hollywood’s top talents.
Ruto’s government has recently been keen on working with Kenyan creatives including musicians, TikTokers, and comedians to help them monetize their talents.
The president credited his Creative Economy Advisor for inspiring him to take an active role in the ambitious efforts to bring the Grammys to Kenya.
“I remember we had trouble trying to bring on board the Grammys. We had serious challenges and I had to personally get involved for these to come on board, on what we can do around the studio and around that space,” explained President Ruto.
The Grammy Awards Africa edition in Kenya is anticipated to enhance the country’s reputation as a vibrant creative hub while attracting significant investment in its growing entertainment industry.
Kenyans react to the possible hosting of the Grammy Awards in Kenya
The news has sparked strong reactions from Kenyans, with many criticizing the government for misplaced priorities.
Urgent issues such as hunger, poverty, water scarcity in arid regions, and the poor condition of hospitals were highlighted as areas requiring immediate government attention.
Some users also expressed doubts about the payment, labeling it as a massive scam.
“I would imagine it cost more than $5m to host the Grammies. These are lies,” wrote @snoopykenya.
“What is wrong with our government? Hospitals and schools are not even well equipped, every other government worker is going to the streets over salary and these guys are busy chasing the Grammys,” posed @MumbiJoseph.
“Grammys have never been held anywhere else outside the USA….out of all the countries in the world, why would they hold it in Kenya?” wrote @jimNjue
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