Grammy sparks outrage as they play Fela Kuti’s ‘Water’ while announcing Tyla as winner

• During the 66th Grammy Awards, a mix-up occurred in the announcement of the Best African Music Performance category.
• South African singer Tyla won for ‘Water,’ but Fela Kuti’s ‘Water No Get Enemy’ was played during the announcement, causing confusion.
• Tyla beat Nigerian artists Davido, Asake, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr to win the award.
• The Recording Academy faced backlash, particularly from Nigerian fans and music critics, for what they deemed a “silly mistake.

The organizers of the Grammy Awards caused a serious buzz online when they awarded South African singer Tyla for her track ‘Water.’

However, controversy arose when the late Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s classic ‘Water No Get Enemy,’ was played during the announcement.

The Recording Academy declared Tyla’s ‘Water’ as the recipient of the first-ever Best African Music Performance award, triumphing over notable tracks by Nigerian artists such as Davido’s ‘Unavailable,’ Asake’s ‘Amapiano,’ Burna Boy’s ‘City Boys,’ and Ayra Starr’s ‘Rush.’

However, the celebratory moment turned into confusion and disappointment as Fela’s timeless masterpiece echoed through the venue instead of Tyla’s sexually-themed mid-tempo track.

The mix-up sparked a wave of reactions from fans and music critics, particularly in Nigeria, who took to social media to express their discontent with the Recording Academy’s apparent blunder.

Many criticized the organizers for what they deemed a “silly mistake” that overshadowed the significance of the award and disrespected the memory of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, a towering figure in African music history.

Netizens Reactions…

AlvinAdegoke penned: “Abi Grammy think say nah tyla water be this 🫠😹.”

iam_Daposh noted: “You sure say no be Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s “Water” Tyla submit to #Grammy’s.”

adepromise said: “Abi Tyla submitted Fela Water to Win Grammy. We need to do our investigation.”

Mayo6Tee reacted: “They Submitted which Water lol 😂 🤣🤣😂😂 .. @RecordingAcad you’ve done it again.”

bruzieee wrote: “This is pure foolishness, why use Fela song titled Water? Are they ashamed to play the song that got the award?”

See below;

Fela Kuti’s “Water” was played when Tyla was announced winner of “Best African Music Performance” at the #Grammys 👀 pic.twitter.com/hzjjynvBKA

— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) February 4, 2024