Ayra Starr, the Beninese-Nigerian singer whose hit "Rush" was among the nominees for the first ever best African music performance Grammy this year, says she grew up not seeing any pop stars that looked like her. "I want to show African girls that we can do this, too. And I'm doing that," she says. Richie Igunma/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Jay-Z (left) accepts the honorary Dr. Dre Global Impact Award alongside his daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, during the 66th Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy hide caption
Burna Boy's I Told Them... tops our shortlist for the best new albums out on Aug. 25. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Coachella hide caption
The crowd dances to the music at the Dreamville Music Festival in Raleigh, N.C. Alanté Serene Millow/NPR hide caption
Burna Boy performs in Philadelphia, having brought his signature sound to the world. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Roc Nation hide caption
The nominees in this year's two "global music" categories for the Grammys include (from left): Burna Boy and WizKid (both from Nigeria), Benin superstar Angelique Kidjo, Hawaii's Daniel Ho and Femi Kuti (he's also Nigerian). Kevin Winter, Tristan Fewings, Ilya S. Savenok, Jason Merritt and Kristy Sparow/Getty Images hide caption
Angélique Kidjo says she's proud that her career has helped pave the way for the success of other artists in Africa, but now she's taking it one step further. On her latest album, she collaborates with the next generation. Fabrice Mabillot/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Burna Boy accepted the Best Global Music Album award for 'Twice as Tall' from Chika at the Grammy awards on March 14. His acceptance speech was dedicated to all of Africa. Rich Fury/Getty Images for The Recording Academy hide caption
Jacob Collier plays a Tiny Desk (Home) concert. NPR/NPR hide caption
Burna Boy. His latest full-length, Twice as Tall, tops our list of the best new albums out this week. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Lady Gaga, photographed outside of the Met Gala on May 6, 2019, in New York. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Clockwise from upper left: Burna Boy, Big Thief, Lizzo, Tyler, The Creator, Billie Eilish, Better Oblivion Community Center Courtesy of the artists hide caption
As one of the few bilingual tracks off Girl Ultra's debut album, Nuevos Aires, "f***him" reminds us to be thankful for our ride or dies. Ricardo Martinez Roa/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Burna Boy performs during a Tiny Desk concert on Sept. 16, 2019. Mhari Shaw/NPR hide caption
Sudan Archives' "Confessions" is included in this week's Heat Check. Alex Black/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Cuco's debut album, Para Mí, is one of NPR Music's best albums of July. Cameron Postforoosh/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Cuco is the solo project of 21-year-old Omar Banos. His album Para Mí is on our shortlist for this week's best new albums. Courtesy of the artist hide caption