In a remarkable showcase of Nigeria’s musical talent, the country’s artists have secured four out of five nominations for the 2025 Grammy Awards’ Best African Music Performance category. Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Asake & Wizkid, and Tems will compete alongside American R&B star Chris Brown’s collaboration with Nigerian artists Davido and Lojay for the prestigious award.
The nominations, announced on November 8, 2024, feature Burna Boy’s introspective track Higher, which has already broken streaming records with 1.3 million Spotify plays on its first day of release. His emotionally charged music video, showing his charitable work in Port Harcourt through Project PROTECT, has garnered over 7.3 million views.
Yemi Alade receives her first Grammy nomination for Tomorrow, a triumphant amapiano tune from her album “Rebel Queen.” The song blends English and Nigerian Pidgin lyrics, showcasing her signature style that has earned her the moniker “Mama Africa.”
The collaboration between Asake and Wizkid on MMS brings together two generations of Nigerian music. The track, produced by P.Priime, features Yoruba-language choral vocals and lyrics in English, Yoruba and Nigerian Pidgin, reflecting on Asake’s musical journey.
Tems, who previously won a Grammy and made history as the first African artist to top the Billboard Hot 100, is nominated for Love Me JeJe. The song, which interpolates Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic, has achieved significant international success, topping the UK Afrobeats charts and reaching number three on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs.
Chris Brown’s Sensational, featuring Nigerian stars Davido and Lojay, rounds out the nominations, representing a successful fusion of American R&B with Afrobeats. This marks a significant collaboration between U.S. and Nigerian artists in the Grammy-nominated category.
The strong Nigerian presence in this year’s nominations follows South African singer Tyla’s historic win in the category’s inaugural year, where her hit “Water” not only secured the Grammy but also made her the first South African artist in 55 years to enter the Billboard Hot 100.
The 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for February 2, 2025, where these artists will compete for the coveted golden gramophone, further cementing Nigeria’s position at the forefront of global music innovation.
