African artists, global awards, and the fight for visibility – MyJoyOnline

A woman with braided hair holds a microphone on stage, wearing a sleeveless patterned dress, with stage lights shining behind her—celebrating the visibility of African artists at global awards.

African music continues to command global attention, and nowhere was that more evident than at the just-ended 2025 BET Awards, where Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr clinched a major win, building on the momentum set by Tyla’s historic breakthrough last year.

As African genres like Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Highlife redefine the global soundscape, the conversation around representation, recognition, and reward in international award circuits is becoming increasingly urgent.

In an…