The History of Nigerian Artists who have won Grammys

Over the past decade, the Nigerian music industry has witnessed exponential growth. With this growth has come an increasing desire for international visibility, dominance and recognition at the Grammys. This prestigious event is considered music’s highest recognition.

Historic Night at the 65^th Grammy Awards

On Sunday 5^th February 2023 at the 65th Grammy Awards; Nigerian artist Tems; won the Best Melodic Rap Performance category. This was for her contribution to the hit song Wait for U with Future and Drake. In doing so, she made history becoming the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy.

It was a phenomenal feat for Tems. Particularly given that she started music professionally in 2018 after she quit her job to pursue a career in music. However, Nigeria is not new to the Grammys. Twelve in total have clinched the awards to date in different categories either as original works or collaborative efforts.

Sade

Although Tems became the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy, it could be argued that the first Nigerian female singer (with British citizenship); to achieve the feat was British-Nigerian singer, Helen Folashade Adu. Simply known as Sade. Sade won her first Grammy in 1986.

She holds the title of the first artist of Nigerian origin to win the prestigious award. Her first Grammy was in 1986 for Best New Artist. This was followed in 1994 with No Ordinary Love for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

She earned her third Grammy in 2002 with Lovers Rock in the Best Pop Vocal Album. Won her fourth in 2011 with Soldier of Love for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Total haul for the Ibadan-born, Ekiti State indigene is four Grammys.

Sikiru Adepoju

The second Nigerian to win a Grammy is Sikiru Adepoju, a percussionist and recording artist. He first won a Grammy in 1991 as a part of Mickey Hart’s group Planet Drum. The title album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album.

Adepoju won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album in 2008. This was for his contribution to the title album of Mickey Hart’s Global Drum Project. Awarded at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Adepoju holds two Grammy awards to his name.

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Babatunde Olatunji

Babatunde Olatunji became the third Nigerian to win a Grammy. In 1991, as part of a collaborative work in the Best World Music category with Planet Drum. Olatunji was part of Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum projects. Including the album Planet Drum, which won the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album of 1991. This being the first year for which the award was given.

Seal

The fourth person is another Nigerian in the diaspora by the name of Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel famously known as Seal. He is a British-Nigerian musician, singer and songwriter best known for his 1994 hit song, Kiss from a Rose. He has 14 Grammy nominations to his name and has won four. His song, Kiss From A Rose earned him three Grammy awards in 1996 and in 2011 he won his fourth Imagine. He holds the highest number of nominations. Therefore, equalling Sade’s haul of four Grammy Awards.

Lekan Babalola

The fifth Nigerian is Lekan Babalola, a New York City-based jazz percussionist and musician. In 2006, he became a Grammy Award winner for his work on Ali Farka Touré‘s In the Heart of the Moon which he was credited in three tracks. He also won a second Grammy in 2009 for his work on Cassandra Wilson‘s 2008 album titled Loverly.

Chamillionaire

The sixth is Hakeem Seriki known musically as Chamillionaire. He is a rapper and an African American of Nigerian descent. Chamillionaire earned a Grammy in 2007 for his song, Riddin under the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group category. He received a total of four nominations that year.

Kevin Olusola

Kevin Olusola an American singer-songwriter, beatboxer, and cellist, best known as the beatboxer of the vocal band Pentatonix won a Grammy. He followed suit in 2016 and 2017 with two more with Pentatonix, making him the seventh Nigerian to have won a Grammy.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo is a British-Nigerian actress, singer and song writer. She played the lead role in the biopic Harriet and was nominated for several awards. She won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album in 2017 for Colour Purple.

Burna Boy, Wizkid and Jenn Nkiru

In 2021, Nigeria took to the centre stage of the world’s attention at the 63^rd  Grammy Awards ceremony. The trio of Burna Boy, Wizkid and Jenn Nkiru won a Grammy each. Burna Boy won the award in the Best Global Music Album category, for his body of work Twice As Tall album.

Wizkid won the Best Music Video for a collaborative effort with Beyonce on the critically acclaimed international hit Brown Skin Girl, from Lion King: The Gift album.

Jenn Nkiru won in the same category as Wizkid Best Music Video category as a video director for Brown Skin Girl.  

Tems

Then this year, one phenomenally talented Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as Tems, won a Grammy. This makes her the 12^th Nigerian to have won a Grammy. It was her appearance on WizKid’s 2020 single Essence that helped propel her to global prominence. When the song reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, after the release of a remixed version with an additional feature from Justin Bieber. As a result, this earned her a Grammy nomination. The track was dubbed the song of the summer and introduced her to a global audience.

Nigerian Artists Leading Force in the Music Industry

Overall, 12 Nigerians, either through original works or collaborative efforts with foreign artists have won a total of 22 Grammy Awards. Consequently, with the rise in popularity of Afro beats, this only helps to increase the focus on Nigeria worldwide and in doing so, gain recognition as a leading force in the music industry.