As the 66th Grammy Awards loom on February 4, the organizers have unveiled a historic list of African music trailblazers who have claimed the coveted gramophones since the 1960s.
Social media ignited a storm of controversies when the illustrious names of Wizkid and Tems were notably missing from the lineup of 10 distinguished African Grammy winners.
According to the chronicle, Miriam Makeba, the late South African songstress, stands as the inaugural African Grammy laureate.
Sade, the iconic pop sensation, followed suit, securing her place as the first Nigerian to clinch this global accolade, with Burna Boy reigning as the latest Nigerian to grasp the prestigious Grammy.
Grammy Award – Africa Winners List
Miriam Makeba (South Africa) — Best Folk Recording (with Harry Belafonte) – 1966
Sade Adu (Nigeria/UK) — Best New Artist – 1986
Ali Farka Touré (Mali) — Best World Music Album – 1994
Cesária Évora (Cape Verde) — Best Contemporary World Music Album – 2004
Youssou N’Dour (Senegal) — Best Contemporary World Music Album – 2005
Angélique Kidjo (Benin/France) — Best Contemporary World Music Album – 2008
RedOne (Morocco) — Best Dance/Electronic Album – 2010
Tinariwen (Mali/Algeria/Libya) — Best World Music Album – 2012
Burna Boy (Nigeria) — Best Global Music Album – 2021
Black Coffee (South Africa) – Best Dance/ Electronic Album — 2022
In a flashback to March 2021, Wizkid celebrated his maiden Grammy win for his contribution to ‘Brown Skin Girl,’ a 2019 anthem by Beyonce, clinching the ‘Best Music Video’ category.
Tems, in 2023, etched her name in Grammy history, securing the ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ category for her role in ‘Wait for U,’ the 2022 hit collaboration with Future featuring Drake.
Following the list release by the Grammy organizers, speculation arose regarding the criteria for the selection process.
Some X users contended that Wizkid and Tems might have been excluded due to their wins as featured artists.
The exclusion of these Nigerian music giants remains shrouded in mystery.
The stage is set for the 2024 Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 4, in Los Angeles.
As a testament to African musical prowess, the award organizers introduced the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category, spotlighting artists like Asake, Olamide, Tems, Burna Boy, Olamide, and Ayra Starr, all nominated in this prestigious category.
