PANJIM, Aug. 24 -- Athul KP

From Goa's local rhythms to the Grammy Awards' global stage, Waking Grunt is taking Konkani hip- hop where few regional artistes have gone before. Goan rapper and lyricist Amit Jaiwant Naik has been selected as a Voting Member of the Recording Academy, bringing a Konkani voice into the Grammy voting fold.

"I was happy to see that despite be- ing a rapper in Konkani, I was accept- ed. I did not believe it when I got the mail, Naik said, recalling the moment he learned that he had been selected. Rather than immediately celebrating. he messaged Milroy Goes (Hollywood Film director and co founder of Miss Goa International), who had recom- mended his name for the membership.

For Naik, the recognition is signifi- ...