Afrobeats artists Yemi Alade, Wizkid, Asake, Burna Boy, Tems, along with Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay, have received nominations in the “Best African Music Performance” category at the 67th Grammy Awards.
Since the Recording Academy established the Best African Music Performance category last year, African music has continued to evolve, with afrobeats artists consistently producing fresh sounds.
The category was launched with South African artist Tyla winning for her popular song “Water,” which fuses amapiano and Afropop styles.
Nigerians are eagerly anticipating which afrobeats star will take home the title at this prestigious event later today at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Yemi Alade has received her first solo Grammy nomination for “Tomorrow,” a track produced by Dee Yasso that showcases a strong African essence by blending Nigerian and South African beats and lyrics.
Asake’s “MMS,” featuring Wizkid, has also made an impact, resonating with fans since its release last year and being highlighted on Asake’s third studio album, “Lungu Boy.” This collaboration has earned a nomination for the Best African Music Performance at the Grammys.
Chris Brown’s inclusion in the nominations for his song “Sensational,” which features Afrobeats influences and contributions from Nigerian artists Davido and Lojay, has stirred some debate. This could potentially be the first time a non-African artist wins in this category at music’s biggest night, leaving many hopeful.
Burna Boy, known for his Grammy recognition, is no stranger to the awards. He won the Best Global Music Album Grammy in 2021 for “Twice as Tall” and wrapped up a remarkable 2023 by clinching the top spot on the Billboard Year-End US Afrobeats Artists Chart, as well as ranking among the most streamed male African artists on Spotify. His recent single “Higher” is nominated for this year’s Best African Music Performance, marking his sixth consecutive year of nominations.
Tems, an award-winning artist known for her collaborations with major names like Drake, Rihanna, and Beyoncé, is competing in three categories this year, making her the most nominated African artist. Her song “Love Me JeJe,” from her debut album “Born in the Wild,” has also received a nomination in the Best African Music Performance category.
