Kenya to host Recording Academy Headquarters in Africa

Kenya has secured a deal to host a regional base for the Recording Academy, the body behind the Grammy Awards, positioning the country as a gateway for the awards’ expansion into Africa.

Head of Presidential Special Projects and the Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi said Kenya emerged successful after meeting the required financial commitment.

Itumbi noted that the Recording Academy President, Panos Panay, engaged representatives from four African countries, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Kenya, over the possibility of establishing a presence on the continent.

“We met the president during Taylor Perry’s studio tour, and Panos, who is the president of the Recording Academy, approached four countries in Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Kenya,” he added.

“The other three countries, none of them paid only us paid, and therefore we won the bid,” Itumbi stated.

He noted that plans are underway to establish the headquarters at either Konza Technopolis or Talanta Sports City Stadium, depending on the final decision.

Itumbi added that once the Recording Academy sets up its base in Kenya, the next phase will be the introduction of an African version of the Grammy Awards.

“We said the Recording Academy will set up its headquarters at Konza City or Talanta Stadium, depending on what they choose for us to be able to grow the quality of our music,” Itumbi said.

“After the recording Academy has set up in Kenya its headquarters, the next thing will be to host an African Grammys.

Asia has Grammys, the US has Grammys. They have done an Asian Grammys thing, they are looking for the African market, 4 countries offered.”

He further disclosed that the President of the Recording Academy is expected to visit Kenya before June.

“The President of the Recording Academy and Grammy Awards will be here before June, and we will settle this question once and for all,” he added.