Top 10 Most Nominated Nigerian Artists At The Grammys Award
Recognized as one of the foremost award in the music industry, the Grammy Awards commend exceptional achievements globally. Acknowledged for its prestige, the Grammy stands as a pinnacle in the realm of music accolades. Recently disclosed nominations have showcased an unprecedented presence of over 8 Nigerian vocalists, marking a historic moment in the Grammy Awards' history. In celebration of this remarkable achievement, a compilation has been assembled, spotlighting the top 10 most nominated Nigerian artists in the history of the Grammys.
Before delving into the list, it is paramount to pay homage to trailblazers who paved the way for fellow Nigerians on the coveted Grammy stage. A noteworthy example is the iconic Juju singer, King Sunny Ade, who secured the first Grammy nomination for a Nigerian artist back in 1983. Breaking barriers, percussionist and recording artist Sikiru Adepoju etched his name in history by becoming the first Nigerian to clinch a Grammy Award in 2008. With these milestones acknowledged, the list unfolds, recognizing the impressive achievements of the top 10 most nominated Nigerian artists at the Grammys.
Top 10 Most Nominated Nigerian Artists At The Grammys
- Burna Boy - 10
- Femi Kuti - 6
- Tems - 5
- Wizkid - 4
- Davido - 3
- King Sunny Ade - 2
- Sikiru Adepoju - 1
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - 1
- Babatunde Olatunji - 1
- Seun Kuti - 1
1. Burna Boy
Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, stands as the most nominated Nigerian artist at the Grammy Awards, accumulating an impressive total of 10 nominations throughout his career. This remarkable achievement began with his initial nomination at the 62nd edition of the awards in the Best Global Music Album category, recognizing his groundbreaking album African Giant (2019). Notably, Burna Boy secured victory in the same category at the 63rd Grammy Awards with Twice as Tall (2020), making history as the first Nigerian artist to achieve back-to-back nominations and wins.
The African giant has recently made headlines once again by amassing four nominations for the upcoming 66th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 2024. This feat establishes a new record for the highest number of Grammy nominations received by a Nigerian artist in a single night. Burna Boy's nominations span various categories, including Sittin’ On Top Of The World for Best Melodic Rap Performance, I Told Them… for Best Global Music Album, Alone for Best Global Music Performance, and City Boys for Best African Music Performance. His consistent recognition on the global stage solidifies Burna Boy's status as a trailblazer in the Nigerian music scene.
2. Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti, the Afrobeat legend, secures the second position among the top 10 most nominated Nigerian artists at the Grammys, boasting an impressive six nominations. His Grammy journey commenced at the 45th edition in 2003, earning a nomination in the Best Global Music Album category for his iconic 2001 album Fight To Win. Another nod followed in 2010 in the Best Contemporary World Music Album category, recognizing his 2008 release Day by Day.
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The 64th Grammy Awards marked Femi's most recent recognition, where he garnered two nominations. The first was in the Best Global Music Performance category for his song Pà Pá Pà. Notably, he earned a second nomination alongside his son Made Kuti in the Best Global Music Album category for their collaborative 2021 double album, Legacy +. Femi Kuti's consistent acclaim at the Grammys reflects his enduring influence and mastery in the realm of Afrobeat, solidifying his status as one of Nigeria's most celebrated musical exports on the global stage.
3. Tems
Tems, also known as Temilade Openiyi, secures the third position among the top 10 most nominated Nigerian artists at the Grammys with an impressive total of 5 nominations. Her journey in Grammy recognition began as a featured artist on Wizkid's Essence, earning her first nomination for Best Global Music Performance at the 64th Grammy Awards. Notably, Tems achieved a remarkable triple nomination at the 65th annual Grammy Awards, including a nod for Album of the Year for her contribution to Beyoncé's RENAISSANCE.
Her collaboration with Future and Drake on the track Wait For You garnered her two additional nominations, namely Best Rap Song and Best Melodic Rap Performance, with the latter resulting in a win. Adding to her growing list of accolades, Tems recently received another Grammy nomination for her contribution to Rihanna's Lift Me This consistent recognition highlights Tems as a rising star in the global music scene, showcasing her versatility and impact as an artist.
4. Wizkid
Wizkid, also known as Ibrahim Ayodeji Balogun, stands as a Nigerian superstar and one of the most nominated artists at the Grammys, accumulating over four nominations. His debut nomination occurred at the 59th annual Grammy Awards in the Album of the Year category for his contribution to Drake's global hit, One Dance. The pinnacle of his Grammy journey arrived at the 63rd Grammy Awards in 2020, where Wizkid secured his first and only Grammy award for Best Music Video with Brown Skin Girl.
Building on his success, Wizkid's groundbreaking album, Made in Lagos (2020), propelled him to a double nomination at the 64th Grammy Awards. The nominations encompassed Best Global Music Album and Best Global Music Performance, with the latter recognizing his global smash hit, Essence. As one of the most awarded African artists at the BET Awards, Wizkid's continued recognition at the Grammys underscores his impact and influence on the international music stage.
5. Davido
Renowned singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, secures his presence on the list with three nominations for the 66th Grammy Awards scheduled for February 4, 2024. His comeback album, Timeless, earned him a nomination in the Best Global Album category. Additionally, Davido received recognition for Best African Performance for his global hit Unavailable and a nomination in the Best Global Music Performance category for his song Feel.
Boasting four studio albums, Davido is celebrated as one of the greatest and most influential musicians in the history of Nigeria. His extensive discography includes multiple hit songs that have resonated globally. Furthermore, Davido's widespread popularity is evident through his status as one of the most followed African celebrities on various social platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. These Grammy nominations further solidify his impact on the international music scene.
6. King Sunny Adé
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King Sunny Adé, a prominent Nigerian jùjú singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, holds a distinguished position in the history of the Grammy Awards with two notable nominations. Recognized as one of the first African pop musicians to achieve international success, he earned his initial Grammy nod at the 36th annual Grammy Awards in 1983. His album 'Synchro System' received a nomination in the Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording category, marking a historic moment as the first Nigerian artist to be nominated for a Grammy.
King Sunny Adé's Grammy journey continued in 1998 with his album 'Odu,' securing another nomination, this time in the Best World Music category. Despite not clinching a win in either instance, King Sunny Adé's impact is enduring, and he is highly revered for breaking barriers and paving the way for subsequent international singers. Reports attribute his success on the global stage to opening doors for other world music luminaries such as Senegalese Youssou N’Dour and Mali’s Salif Keita, solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential musicians of all time.
7. Sikiru Adepoju
Sikiru Adepoju, the legendary percussionist and recording artist, holds a significant place among the top 10 most nominated Nigerian artists at the Grammys, earning one distinguished nomination. His iconic status goes beyond nominations, as Sikiru Adepoju achieved the historic feat of being the first Nigerian to win a Grammy Award. This groundbreaking moment occurred at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in 2008, where he triumphed in the Best Contemporary World Music Album category for his notable contribution to Mickey Hart’s Global Drum Project.
Sikiru's musical journey is rooted in a family with a rich musical heritage in Oyo State. His introduction to drumming came from his father, Chief Ayanleke Adepoju. Venturing to America in 1985 to join O. J. Ekemode’s Nigerian All-Stars, Sikiru's path crossed with Babatunde Olatunji, who played a pivotal role in connecting him with Mickey Hart. Since then, Sikiru Adepoju has been an integral part of various projects with the renowned drummer. His singular Grammy win and groundbreaking achievements underscore his lasting impact on the global music stage.
8. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a distinguished Nigerian writer renowned for her novels, short stories, and nonfiction works, stands out among the most nominated Nigerian artists at the Grammys despite not being a singer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most successful authors from the African continent, Adichie has penned notable works such as Purple Hibiscus (2003), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), and Americanah (2013), among others.
In an unexpected crossover into the music realm, Chimamanda received a Grammy nomination at the 57th annual Grammy Awards. Her nomination was in the Album of the Year category for her contribution to Beyoncé's eponymous album in 2013. This unique recognition underscores the breadth of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's impact, extending beyond literature into the diverse realms of global artistic achievement.
9. Babatunde Olatunji
Babatunde Olatunji, a prominent Nigerian drummer, educator, social activist, and recording artist, made his mark among the most nominated Nigerian artists at the Grammys with one notable nomination. Renowned for leading the percussionist band, Drums of Passion, Olatunji's influence extended widely.
Acknowledging his pivotal role in Nigerian musical history, Babatunde Olatunji secured a Grammy nomination at the 40th annual Grammy Awards in 1988. The nomination was in the Best World Music Album category for his album Love Drum Talk, a testament to his significant contributions to the global music landscape.
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Beyond his Grammy recognition, Babatunde Olatunji's impact resonates in the world of jazz, where he collaborated with influential musicians of his time, including Cannonball Adderley, Horace Silver, Quincy Jones, Pee Wee Ellis, Stevie Wonder, Randy Weston, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, and even members of the Grateful Dead. His enduring legacy is imprinted not only in nominations but in the rhythmic echoes of his cultural contributions.
10. Seun Kuti
Seun Kuti, widely recognized as the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, earns the tenth spot among the top 10 most nominated Nigerian artists at the Grammys. Leading his father's former band, Egypt 80, Seun Kuti has made significant contributions to the music scene.
While not as widely acclaimed as his father, Seun and his band have achieved relative success both in Nigeria and internationally. Notably, in 2008, they released an album titled Many Things, marking the first under the name Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. Subsequently, he continued to release numerous albums and feature in various songs.
Seun Kuti's Grammy journey includes a nomination at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for the Best World Music Album, recognized for his 2018 album titled Black Times. This acknowledges him among the notable Nigerian artists recognized on the global stage.
