Let’s face the issue
Angelique Kidjo’s Grammy winning hit single, “Dignity” is a song she sang about Nigeria. She talked about the EndSARS and dedicated the song to its victims
The EndSARS campaign was heard worldwide and Kidjo, along with Yemi Alade sang a hit single and they told authorities in the song: “Respect is reciprocal”. That’s a line from the song.
So, Kidjo actually won an award by telling a story about Nigeria and speaking to its government
Essence is a wonderful song no doubt but the message in “Dignity” has wider appeal and is strictly original
Yemi Alade added life to that track and it was the hit single that beat Wizkid’s Essence.
The Grammy Award criteria for selection of best global album is clear: technicality, message, originality. The Grammys team also said that it doesn’t matter the number of streams a song has
Finally, Grammy is not a popularity contest, it is a contest about the quality of message, originality and technicality. That is why Burnaboy went back and planned for Twice as Tall and he won it!