President William Ruto revealed that Kenya had officially placed a bid and paid Ksh 500 million to bring the Grammys to Africa. However, in a statement released shortly after, the Recording Academy refuted these claims, clarifying that the 67th Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, USA
The Recording Academy, the organization behind the prestigious Grammy Awards, has firmly denied claims that it received any payment from Kenya to host the 2025 gala ceremony. During a recent town hall meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, President William Ruto revealed that Kenya had officially placed a bid and paid Ksh 500 million to bring the Grammys to Africa.
“We have already paid the Ksh 500 million. This is not something we are planning to do; it’s already done. I’m confident that the gentleman here from the Grammys can confirm that we’re on the right track to securing Kenya’s position in this exciting initiative,” Ruto declared. However, in a statement released shortly after, the Recording Academy distanced itself from these claims. It clarified that the 67th Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, USA. “We are a non-profit organization. We do not take money from foreign governments,” the statement read in part.
The development comes amid President Ruto’s push to elevate Kenya’s creative industry and position the nation as a global entertainment hub. In April, he announced that Kenya was selected as one of four countries to collaborate with Grammy Global Ventures, an initiative aimed at boosting Kenya’s engagement in the international creative industry.
During the town hall, Ruto reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering local talent and creating opportunities for Kenyan artists to shine on the global stage. The Grammy Awards, first held on May 4, 1959, are considered one of the “Big Three” major music awards, alongside the Academy Awards (Oscars) for film, the Emmy Awards for television, and the Tony Awards for theatre. The event has become a global benchmark for excellence in music, drawing millions of viewers and fans worldwide.
The Recording Academy, formally known as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), is an American organization comprising musicians, producers, recording engineers, and other music professionals. Beyond the Grammys, it is a founding partner of the Grammy Museum, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and educating about music’s rich history and cultural significance.
This controversy raises questions about the accuracy of Kenya’s bid announcement and the transparency of the processes involved, leaving many wondering whether there was a miscommunication, or a misunderstanding, about Kenya’s role in this international event
