It’s that time of the year again when the Grammy bells jiggle and nominations roll out in anticipation of the awards ceremony. With several submissions for the 67th Grammy Awards in 94 categories and a rigorous selection process, today, November 8th 2024, excitement and disappointment stir the air for the participants vying for music’s most prestigious honour.
While the awards have always been integral to the Western industry, the increasing popularity of Afrobeats globally has infiltrated the awards scenery. Nigerians now have categories that speak true to their artistry, maybe not wholly, but to an advantageous extent. Thus marking a pivotal moment for the Afrobeats to the world movement and adding a flamboyant layer to the nominees’ biographies.
For the 67th Grammy Awards, eight Nigerian artists—Tems, Yemi Alade, Asake, Wizkid, David, Lojay, Burna Boy, and Rema—were nominated in three categories: Best R&B Song, Best African Music Performance, and Best Global Music Album.
Leading the pack is Tems with three Grammy nominations bringing her total nominations to 8, underscoring her ongoing global impact and meteoric rise. Burna Boy, whose artistry has earned him 11 Grammy nominations over the years, is back for a remarkable sixth consecutive year. Wizkid holds five nominations in total, Davido four, and Asake has swiftly gained traction with two nominations so far. Meanwhile, Rema, Yemi Alade, and Lojay each proudly hold one nomination, marking a widespread recognition of Nigerian talent across the board.
The nominee lists include:
Best R&B Song:
“Burning” —Tems
Best African Music Performance:
“Tomorrow” — Yemi Alade
“MMS” — Asake & Wizkid
“Sensational” — Chris Brown Featuring Davido & Lojay
“Higher” — Burna Boy
“Love Me JeJe” — Tems
Best Global Music Album
“Heis” — Rema
“Born In The Wild” — Tems
The nominations are fiercely competitive; each artist has enjoyed a remarkable year that speaks to their relentless creativity and influence. For some, like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems, the spotlight is familiar, yet the stakes are just as high. The suspense thickens as to who will emerge the winner in their respective categories.
And while there’s plenty to celebrate, a few glaring absences in this year’s nominations have left fans questioning the choices. One such omission is Ayra Starr, whose sophomore album “The Year I Turn 21” has captivated audiences worldwide. Despite her stellar performances and widespread acclaim, her name was conspicuously absent from any category, a snub that has stunned fans and industry insider. Another shock is Tyla, who seemed to be an obvious contender, especially given her recent win as the first recipient of the newly minted Best African Music Performance category and her impressive debut album. Despite these accomplishments, neither artist made the cut—a curious decision that leaves many speculating.
For the 67th Grammy Awards, the triumphs and losses are striking, but our eyes stay glued and wondering till February 2025 when the Awards ceremony is scheduled to hold—will this year’s ceremony match the excitement and groundbreaking influence these artists have brought to the world
