The duo of Kenny ‘Keke’ Ogungbe and Dayo ‘D One’ Adeneye finally proved wrong their detractors who go about town with the rumour that the gentlemen always stay outside during the event.
For so many years, the guys have been among the very few Nigerians who have been able to grace the event. This year, they did it again and actually were on the red carpet.
Speaking to Saturday Beats about the award, D One said even though the award has become so popular, it is meant for the Americans alone.
“Let’s be realistic, Grammy award is meant for music being played in America. It is not meant for music played outside America. It is based on ratings and airplay on American radio stations. Over the years, they noticed that the award is popular worldwide, so they try to carry everyone along. That is why there is the Latin Grammy but it is not as big as the main Grammy Awards.
“In trying to accommodate others, they infused categories like best reggae, best world music, etc. The fact that our artistes are recognised is a welcome development but I don’t think we should strangle ourselves because they have not won yet. The voting academy, that is, the people that vote, do so on a lot of criteria but it is based mostly on airplay. They are people in the American industry and they have very little interaction with music played outside America. We have to be a bit realistic and open minded. We would get there but it would take time. We have artists like Neyo and Wale who are of Nigerian descent but they were born and bred in America,” he said.
He explained that the few Africans that have been won the award or nominated was because they tour America.
“People who vote in the academy do not go to clubs. Femi Kuti that was nominated four times and Angelique Kidjo that won the Grammy award stage concerts and tour round America. Some people must have listened to their songs. How many of our artistes have the opportunity to tour the world or America? We would get there but it would take a while,” he said.
