Channel A TV Continues to Open Doors for African and Caribbean Artists Through GRAMMY Consideration

Channel A TV is continuing its commitment to creating greater opportunities for African, Caribbean and diaspora artists by using its position as a registered media company to submit eligible recordings for GRAMMY Award consideration.

For the 69th Annual GRAMMY Awards, Jamaican dancehall artist Shawn Storm is among the artists whose music has been submitted through Channel A TV for consideration. His 2026 project Growth and eligible recording(s) are part of his current GRAMMY campaign. Channel A TV previously reported that Shawn Storm is entering a new international chapter following the release of Growth, his continued work in dancehall and his growing international profile.

The opportunity is particularly significant for independent artists who may not have the same access to major-label infrastructure and international industry networks.

Channel A TV and GRAMMY Representation

Channel A TV announced in 2024 that it had been approved as an entity able to submit music for GRAMMY consideration. The network described the opportunity as a way to help bring greater visibility to artists from Africa, the Caribbean and the global diaspora, particularly artists from underserved communities.

Founder Dr. Davies Chirwa has emphasized that representation matters—not simply for awards, but for ensuring that diverse musical cultures have opportunities to participate in the global music industry.

“Representation in music matters because every community deserves an opportunity to have its creativity, culture and stories heard on the world’s biggest stages.”

For Chirwa, the GRAMMY submission process is part of a larger mission that Channel A TV has pursued through media: creating platforms for voices that might otherwise be overlooked.

Channel A TV describes its mission as connecting cultures and amplifying the experiences of underserved communities, with a particular focus on the African diaspora and global cultural exchange.

What a GRAMMY Submission Means

It is important to distinguish between submission, eligibility and nomination.

According to the Recording Academy, the 69th Annual GRAMMY Awards’ online entry period ran from July 7 through August 21, 2026. Eligible recordings had to be released during the Academy’s eligibility period of August 31, 2025 through August 28, 2026.

A submission does not automatically mean an artist has been nominated.

The Recording Academy first reviews entries for eligibility and category placement. Eligible recordings then proceed to the voting process, where Recording Academy voting members determine the nominees. Final-round voting determines the winners.

The Academy says approximately 20,000 entries are submitted each year, demonstrating the scale of competition involved in the GRAMMY process.

Shawn Storm Represents a Growing Caribbean Voice

For Shawn Storm, the GRAMMY submission represents another milestone in an evolving international career.

The Jamaican artist, born Shawn Campbell, has been active in dancehall since the late 2000s and has developed a catalogue of music while working with artists and producers within Jamaica’s music industry.

In 2026, he released Growth, a seven-track project through RichBoss Records. Channel A TV previously reported that the project formed part of his international GRAMMY campaign.

His submission also comes at a time when Caribbean music continues to demonstrate its influence on the global music landscape.

Why Representation Matters

For Dr. Chirwa, the issue is bigger than one artist or one awards season.

African and Caribbean music has influenced global popular culture for generations—from reggae and dancehall to Afrobeats, African traditional sounds, gospel, hip-hop and numerous contemporary fusions.

Yet artists from smaller markets and independent music ecosystems can face barriers when attempting to navigate international award systems, distribution networks, media exposure and industry relationships.

Channel A TV’s GRAMMY submission initiative is intended to help address part of that gap by providing an additional pathway for eligible artists to enter the official consideration process.

“This is about opening doors,” Chirwa says. “When we create access, we create possibilities—not only for today’s artists, but for the generations coming behind them.”

Building a More Diverse Music Industry

Channel A TV’s role extends beyond GRAMMY submissions. The network has built its identity around entertainment, sports, culture and community storytelling, including coverage of major events such as the GRAMMYs, BET Awards, MTV Awards, NFL Super Bowl, FIFA soccer, NBA and other international platforms.

Its GRAMMY initiative therefore represents another extension of the network’s broader mission: using media as a bridge between cultures and as a platform for emerging talent.

For artists like Shawn Storm, being submitted for consideration provides an opportunity to place their work before the Recording Academy’s established awards process.

For Channel A TV and Dr. Davies Chirwa, it represents something even broader—the belief that African and Caribbean artists should have a seat at the table when the world’s music industry celebrates creativity and excellence.

The Journey Continues

With the 69th GRAMMY Awards scheduled for February 7, 2027, the current awards cycle is now moving toward the voting and nominations stages. The Recording Academy lists November 16, 2026 as the date for the announcement of the 69th Annual GRAMMY nominees.

For Shawn Storm, Channel A TV and the artists whose work has been submitted through the network, the next chapter is about allowing the music to speak for itself.

And for Dr. Davies Chirwa, the mission remains clear:

Create access. Amplify talent. Celebrate diversity. And make sure the voices of African, Caribbean and diaspora communities are represented on the global stage.

Channel A TV — Capturing Every Culture From Every Angle.

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