Do all Africans look the same? Asking the Grammys

In a recent ad announcing the performers for the Grammy’s 66th annual ceremony, the Grammy Channel posted a photo mix-up showing Seyi Vibez instead of Burna Boy. Later, the award organisers apologised for the oversight and took down the post. But the deed had been done. The now-deleted advert not only confused the world about the actual lineup but also raised eyebrows and questions in the minds of many, especially Africans. What does this error mean? Are African artists seen as interchangeable? Is Africa's diversity invisible? Or worse still, are all Africans believed to look the same?  

Despite the correction and post-withdrawal, the puzzling inability of a globally esteemed institution like the Grammys to accurately recognise artists, notably Burna Boy, renowned as the 'African Giant' and a Grammy award-winning Afrobeats artist and the first African artist to sell out a U.S. stadium, prompts the question: Why didn't the Grammys prioritise thorough fact-checking to avert such a significant and avoidable mistake? 

Instances like these serve to expose the stereotypical representation that Africans face in different contexts – in this case, a homogenous view of all Africans. More importantly, they also serve as fuel to change the status quo, and the angry responses of many Africans on social media were a public cry to ditch outdated perceptions of the continent.  

As an advocate for #BetterRepresentation, we call on global platforms, including the Grammys, to recognize that Africa is a continent with 54 countries and over 2,000 ethnicities, and such, ensure that their work in portraying the continent reflects this. We urge these platforms to align their portrayal of the continent with its diversity and adopt responsible practices when telling its stories.  

Join the campaign to get #BetterRepresentation for Africa by challenging stereotypes and sharing your stories. Use the hashtag #BetterRepresentation to contribute.