The Grammy Awards, presented annually by the Recording Academy, remain the ultimate accolade in the music industry. Since 1959, they’ve celebrated not only the voices that dominate our playlists but also the creative forces working behind the scenes—songwriters, producers, instrumentalists, and composers.
One thing Nigerians excel at? Music. From Afrobeat legends to contemporary trailblazers, Nigerian artists have consistently made their mark on the global stage. Icons like King Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, Made Kuti, and the late Babatunde Olatunji have earned multiple Grammy nominations, proving the enduring power of Nigerian sound.
Last year was a groundbreaking moment for Nigerian music, with eight artists—Tems, Burna Boy, Davido, Asake, Ayra Starr, CKay, Fireboy DML, and Olamide—receiving nominations. And this year, Nigerian excellence shines even brighter. Rema’s album HEIS earned a coveted spot in the Best Global Music Album category, marking a monumental achievement.
Adding new faces to the Grammy scene are Yemi Alade and Lojay, both scoring their first nominations. Lojay’s collaboration with Chris Brown on Sensational and Yemi’s chart-topping hit Tomorrow bring fresh energy to the list of Nigerian nominees. Meanwhile, established stars like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, and Davido continue to represent Nigeria on music’s biggest stage, with Burna Boy leading the pack, now boasting 11 nominations in total.
Let’s take a closer look at the top Nigerian Grammy nominees and their remarkable accomplishments:
Burna Boy: 11 Nominations, 1 Win
Burna Boy has set the bar for Nigerian artistry at the Grammys. His innovative sound and consistency have earned him 11 nominations, including a historic win.
Best World Music Album
African Giant (62nd Grammys)
Best Global Music Album
Twice As Tall (63rd Grammys – Winner)
Love, Damini (65th Grammys)
I Told Them… (66th Grammys)
Best Global Music Performance
Do Yourself (64th Grammys)
Last Last (65th Grammys)
Alone (66th Grammys)
Album of the Year (as a Featured Artist)
Justice: Triple Chucks Deluxe (64th Grammys)
Best African Music Performance
City Boy (66th Grammys)
Higher (67th Grammys)
Best Melodic Rap Performance
Sittin’ On Top of the World (66th Grammys)
Tems: 8 Nominations, 1 Win
Tems has captivated the global music scene with her unique voice and versatility. Her eight Grammy nominations include a win for her work on Wait for You.
Best Global Music Performance
Essence (64th Grammys)
Best Rap Song (Collaboration)
Wait for You (65th Grammys – Winner)
Album of the Year (as a Featured Artist)
Renaissance (65th Grammys – with Beyoncé)
Best Song Written for Visual Media
Lift Me Up (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) (66th Grammys)
Best African Music Performance
Love Me JeJe (67th Grammys)
Best R&B Song
Burning (67th Grammys)
Femi Kuti: 6 Nominations
Femi Kuti, a pioneer of Afrobeat, has been a six-time Grammy nominee, continuing the Kuti family legacy of excellence in music.
Best World Music Album
Fight to Win (45th Grammys)
Africa for Africa (54th Grammys)
No Place for My Dream (56th Grammys)
Best Contemporary World Music Album
Day by Day (52nd Grammys)
Best Global Music Performance
Pà Pá Pà (64th Grammys)
Best Global Music Album
Legacy+ (with Made Kuti) (64th Grammys)
Wizkid: 5 Nominations, 1 Win
Wizkid’s influence spans continents, earning him five nominations and one Grammy win for his contribution to Brown Skin Girl.
Album of the Year
Views (with Drake) (59th Grammys)
Best Music Video
Brown Skin Girl (with Beyoncé) (63rd Grammys – Winner)
Best Global Music Performance
Essence (with Tems and Justin Bieber) (64th Grammys)
Best Global Music Album
Made in Lagos: Deluxe Edition (64th Grammys)
Best African Music Performance
MMS (with Asake) (67th Grammys)
Davido: 4 Nominations
Davido’s impact on Afrobeat continues to be recognized, with four Grammy nominations to his name.
Best Global Music Album
Timeless (66th Grammys)
Best African Music Performance
Unavailable (66th Grammys)
Sensational (with Chris Brown) (67th Grammys)
Best Global Music Performance
Feel (66th Grammys)
With new artists stepping into the spotlight and veterans maintaining their influence, Nigeria’s Grammy journey is a testament to the country’s incredible contributions to the global music industry. The future is bright for Nigerian music—and the world is listening.