Kenya has made notable progress in establishing itself as a hub for global artistic excellence, revealing a Ksh500 million investment to host the inaugural Grammy Awards in Africa. The Grammy Awards, which have honored outstanding achievements in the music field since their inception by the Recording Academy in 1958, are seen as one of the most esteemed accolades in the music industry. This announcement was made during a town hall gathering at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on December 9. President William Ruto and the Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects, Dennis Itumbi, addressed the initiative. Itumbi mentioned in the meeting that preparations for the African version of the Grammy Awards are underway. He noted that discussions are ongoing, and the State Department has been tasked with securing the rights to host the event. President Ruto confirmed that the hosting fee has already been settled, stating that Ksh500 million has been paid. The Recording Academy has revealed its ambitions for 2024 to expand the Grammy Awards into Africa and the Middle East, with the goal of supporting local music creators. This initiative will offer educational resources, advocate for intellectual property rights, and celebrate the diverse musical heritage of these areas. Collaboration with government ministries and cultural organizations in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE is crucial to this expansion, along with agreements from Ghana and Ivory Coast. The Academy intends to provide platforms for creators, training through its online learning program GRAMMY GO, and to produce original content. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. highlighted the importance of supporting music creators globally, stressing that music is an essential resource that deserves adequate support and opportunities. This expansion coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards and comes after the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category at the 2024 GRAMMYs, which aims to highlight distinctive local musical expressions from all over Africa.