All Time Nigerian Grammy Award Winners: Full List
Last updated on February 4th, 2024 at 11:36 pm
Are you looking for information on who has won the Grammy Awards in Nigeria? This article presents a comprehensive list of Nigerian Grammy Award winners. We will also highlight their outstanding achievements and the impact they have made on the international music scene. The list includes from Afrobeat to World Music, and it shows how these artists have not only brought honor to Nigeria but have also enriched the global music landscape with their talent and creativity. Join us as we delve into the remarkable accomplishments of these Nigerian Grammy Award winners and celebrate their contributions to the music industry.
FULL LIST OF ALL TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS FROM NIGERIA
In the following paragraphs, we will highlight all the Nigerian singers that has been able to win the Grammy awards till date.
TEMS
Tems, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi, emerged as the latest winner at the prestigious Grammy Awards. This Nigerian singer’s triumph not only sparked celebration among Nigerians but also served as a beacon of hope for other female musicians across Africa.
At the 65th Grammy Awards held on March 5th, Tems secured her first Grammy win in collaboration with rappers Future and Drake for their chart-topping song, “Wait For U.”
Tems gained significant prominence after her feature on Wizkid’s 2020 single titled “Essence.” This collaboration propelled her to new heights, as “Essence” soared to number nine on the renowned Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Tems’ Grammy win signifies not only her personal accomplishment but also represents a significant achievement for African music as a whole. Her success serves as an inspiration and motivation for aspiring female musicians across the continent.
BURNA BOY
Burna Boy is a Nigerian musician who gained significant recognition and achieved the remarkable feat of winning a Grammy. His victory in 2021 was a noteworthy accomplishment that reignited his hope after losing to Angelique Kidjo in 2020. Specifically, his album “Twice As Tall” triumphed in the Best World Music Album category.
Burna Boy rose to prominence in 2012 with the release of “Like to Party,” the lead single from his debut studio album titled L.I.F.E. His musical career took a significant leap forward in 2017 when he signed with Bad Habit/Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music Group internationally.
Burna Boy’s journey in the music industry has been characterized by his emergence in 2012. Additionally, his Grammy win in 2021 for the album “Twice As Tall” has solidified his reputation and brought hope to his career after a previous loss.
WIZKID
Wizkid is a highly acclaimed Nigerian singer who achieved a significant milestone in 2021 by winning his inaugural Grammy Award through his collaboration with Beyoncé on the song “Brown Skin Girl.” In this project, Wizkid was recognized as both a producer and a featured artist.
Wizkid’s journey to stardom began in 2009 when he signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E.), which was founded by Banky W. This pivotal moment marked the start of his ascent in the music industry.
One of the factors contributing to Wizkid’s widespread recognition and international success can be attributed to his collaborations with numerous renowned artists from around the world. Notably, he has worked with prominent names such as Drake, Chris Brown, and Skepta, expanding his reach and cementing his presence on the global stage.
SADE AUDU
Sade Audu, professionally known as Sade Adu, was born as Helen Folasade Adu in 1959 in Ibadan, Nigeria. However, she grew up in Essex, England, where she established herself as a singer, songwriter, and actress.
Sade Adu holds the distinction of being not only the first female artist of Nigerian origin but also the first Nigerian to win a Grammy Award. Her first Grammy win came in 1986, followed by additional victories in 1994 and 2002. In 2011, she secured her fourth Grammy Award for her song “Soldier of Love,” which was recognized as the Best R&B Performance by a duo.
CHAMILLIONAIRE
Moving on to Chamillionaire, the Nigerian-American rapper, his real name is Hakim Temidayo Seriki. Born in Washington D.C., Chamillionaire has a Nigerian Muslim father and an African-American Christian mother. At the age of four, he relocated with his family to Houston, Texas.
In 2007, Chamillionaire achieved a Grammy win for his song “Ridin’,” which was honored in the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group category. While he received a total of approximately four nominations that year, he emerged victorious in one category.
KELVIN OLUSOLA
Kelvin Olusola is a Nigerian artist who showcases his diverse talents as a singer, rapper, beatboxer, and cellist. As a member of the renowned music group Pentatonix, he has achieved great success, including winning three Grammy Awards.
In 2015, Pentatonix earned a Grammy. The following year, in 2016, Pentatonix secured another Grammy in the same category for their enchanting rendition of “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”. Finally, in 2017, Pentatonix attained a Grammy in the “Best Country duo/group performance” category for their collaboration with Dolly Parton on the song “Jolene.” Their heartfelt rendition captivated audiences and showcased their versatility in exploring different genres.
LEKAN BABALOLA
Shifting focus to Lekan Babalola, a Nigerian jazz percussionist, he has received the prestigious Grammy Award twice. His first triumph came in 2006, followed by another victory in 2009. Lekan embarked on his professional journey as a member of the Samba Samba Band before joining the renowned New York City-based Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers band. Through these experiences, he honed his skills as a masterful player of the Bongo drums and excelled in performing jazz music.
CYNTHIA ERIVO
Another Grammy Award winner in Nigeria is Cynthia Erivo. She is a British-Nigerian actress, singer, and songwriter, she garnered a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album in 2017. Her rise to prominence began in 2015 with her remarkable Broadway debut as Celie in “The Color Purple,” for which she received critical acclaim and ultimately won a Tony Award in 2016. Additionally, in 2020, Erivo received two Oscar nominations, further solidifying her status as a talented and versatile performer.
SEAL
Seal holds an esteemed position as one of Nigeria’s highest Grammy award recipients, having won four Grammys. While widely known by his stage name Seal, his birth name is Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel. One of his most notable achievements is his iconic 1994 hit song “Kiss from a Rose.”
Seal boasts an impressive total of 14 Grammy nominations, of which he has emerged victorious in four instances. Seal has enjoyed a long and fruitful career as a singer and has also ventured into television as a judge.
SIKIRU ADEPOJU
Sikiru Adepoju is a renowned percussionist and recording artist known for his expertise in traditional African music and world music. He exhibits exceptional skill in playing a variety of instruments and musical styles. Sikiru Adepoju attained his first Grammy Award as part of Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum group, which won the Best Contemporary World Music Album category in 1991. Subsequently, in March 2009, he secured his second Grammy as a member of Mickey Hart’s Global Drum Project.
HAS DAVIDO WON ANY GRAMMY AWARD?
Unfortunately, Nigerian artist, Davido hasn’t won any Grammy Awards. He was however nominated for Best African Music Performance alongside Arya Starr, Burna Boy and Wizkid in the just recently concluded 66th Grammy Awards held this 2024.
CONCLUSION
The list of Nigerian Grammy Award winners clearly shows the talent and musical prowess of Nigerian artists on the global stage. From Fela Kuti’s trailblazing Afrobeat to Burna Boy’s contemporary fusion of Afro-fusion and reggae, these artists have defied boundaries and captivated audiences worldwide. Their Grammy wins have not only brought international recognition to Nigeria’s rich and diverse music industry but also served as a source of inspiration for countless aspiring musicians. We hope this list will inspire you to one day become one of the Grammy award winners from Nigeria. We wish you good luck and pray this comes to reality.
