The academy announced the new category in June 2023, stating that the award "recognizes recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent, highlighting regional melodic, harmonic and rhythmic musical traditions."

The award honors, but is not limited to African popular music[1] (Afro pop),[2] genres.

[3][4][5][6] The category was created in order to amplify and expand the reach of African music and its creators and to celebrate the distinct, unique sounds of the continent.

The Academy specifically cited the work of artists such as Davido, Libianca, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, CKay, Wouter Kellerman, Tems, Zakes Bantwini, Tyler ICU and Nomcebo Zikode for highlighting African music on an international scale.

We are excited to honor and celebrate the creators and recordings in these categories, while also exposing a wider range of music to fans worldwide.”[8] ^[I] Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.