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Karl Straub's avatar

I consider myself clueless about African music. In my collection I have some Fela, some Sunny Ade, some Congotronics, and a bunch of Ethiopiques compilations. 40 or 50 albums, maybe. But the innovation, inventiveness, and expression on those recordings can compare favorably with any pop music going on in the world. I wouldn’t want my music to have to be measured against any of the African music I’ve heard. And even my small sampling is a rich stew of many styles.

I agree that African music has earned the right to be judged alongside American pop music. But if it has to be considered apart from the USA, another problem arises-- “African” music is so many different things, such a broad landscape of styles, that it really ought to have a large number of different categories.

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Babs Ayandayo's avatar

To me it really not an issue, artist can submit to order categories as well and get recognized

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