By Grammys: Nigeria’s Biggest Stars Battle for Music’s Top Honor
As the 2025 Grammy Awards approach, Nigeria’s biggest music stars are set to take center stage, competing for some of the industry’s most prestigious honors.
With Afrobeats and African music gaining unprecedented global recognition, artists like Tems, Burna Boy, Davido, Asake, Wizkid, Yemi Alade, and Rema are in the running for major awards, including Best African Music Performance and Best Global Music Album. Their nominations reflect not only their individual artistry but also Nigeria’s growing influence on the global music scene.
As anticipation builds, fans and industry watchers eagerly await to see if Nigeria will make history once again on music’s biggest night.
Below is the list of Nigeria’s artist on the list as curated by BlackBox Nigeria:
Tems – ‘Love Me Jeje’ (Best African Music, Best R&B Song, Best Global Music Album)
Tems has become a global force in just five years, achieving milestones such as a Grammy win and becoming the first African artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 (Wait For U with Future and Drake). Now, she returns with three Grammy nominations, including Best African Music Performance for Love Me Jeje, a track that creatively reinvents Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic.
Her debut album Born in the Wild is also up for Best Global Music Album, competing against international acts like Matt B and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Meanwhile, her heartfelt ballad Burning stands a strong chance in the Best R&B Song category, where she faces competition from SZA’s Saturn and Kehlani’s After Hours. With her ability to merge Afrobeats, R&B, and global sounds, Tems remains a strong contender for a win.
Burna Boy – ‘Higher’ (Best African Music Performance)
A Grammy veteran, Burna Boy has consistently elevated African music on the world stage. After securing his first Grammy in 2021 for Twice as Tall, he returns with Higher, a soul-searching anthem reflecting on personal struggles and resilience.
Unlike last year’s City Boys, which leaned into hip-hop influences, Higher showcases Burna Boy’s introspective side. The song’s emotional depth, combined with its global success—over 8.6 million YouTube views and record-breaking Spotify streams—positions it as a formidable contender in the Best African Music Performance category. However, the competition is fierce, with strong challengers like Tems and Asake.
Asake & Wizkid – ‘MMS’ (Best African Music Performance)
Asake’s meteoric rise in Afrobeats continues, with his genre-blending approach earning him back-to-back Grammy nominations. MMS, his collaboration with Wizkid, fuses Afropop with jazz and R&B influences, making it a standout track in the Best African Music Performance category.
Produced by P.Priime and featured on Asake’s third album Lungu Boy, the song showcases both artists’ mastery of melody and storytelling. With Wizkid’s Grammy-winning experience and Asake’s rapid ascent, MMS is a strong contender to claim the award
Davido, Chris Brown & Lojay – ‘Sensational’ (Best African Music Performance)
Davido, one of Afrobeats’ most recognizable figures, earns another Grammy nomination with Sensational, a collaboration featuring Chris Brown and Lojay. The track’s seamless fusion of Afrobeats and R&B has expanded its global reach, positioning Davido as a key ambassador of African music.
However, collaborative efforts in this category historically face tough competition from solo works, potentially giving an edge to individual artists like Burna Boy and Asake.
Yemi Alade – ‘Tomorrow’ (Best African Music Performance)
A veteran in African pop, Yemi Alade lands her first Grammy nomination with “Tomorrow”, a vibrant Amapiano-infused track from her album “Rebel Queen”. Her fusion of highlife, dancehall, and Afrobeats makes the song a cultural celebration, but she faces tough competition in the Best African Music Performance category.
Rema – ‘HEIS’ (Best Global Music Album)
Rema’s debut album “HEIS” earns a Grammy nod in the Best Global Music Album category, marking a significant milestone in his young career. The album’s genre-fluid approach, blending Afrobeats with pop and electronic influences, has earned widespread acclaim. However, he faces stiff competition from heavyweights like Tems (Born in the Wild), making this category one to watch cloely.
As the countdown to the 2025 Grammys continues, speculation over the winners intensifies.
