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The Grammy Awards, established in 1954, are widely regarded as the most prestigious and significant music awards in the world. They continue to recognize and honor exceptional musical talents on a global scale.
The Nigerian music industry is thriving not only within Africa but also gaining international recognition, capturing the attention of the Grammys.
Recently, Nigerian female sensational singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, won the award for ‘Best African Music Performance’ for her song ‘Love Me JeJe’, outperforming fellow artists Yemi Alade, Asake, Wizkid, Davido, Lojay, and Burna Boy.
Her track was nominated alongside ‘Tomorrow’ by Yemi Alade, ‘MMS’ by Asake featuring Wizkid, ‘Sensational’ by Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay, and ‘Higher’ by Burna Boy.
However, she is not the first woman to win a Grammy Award as several women from Nigeria have received this prestigious award before her. Here are some of the Nigerian women who have won Grammy Awards:
Tems
Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer, Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, is a two-time Grammy-winner.
She won her first Grammy in 2023 in the category of Best Melodic Rap Performance for her collaboration on “Wait For U” with Future and Drake.
In her latest win, the 29-year-old, won Best African Music Performance for her hit ‘Love Me Jeje,’ edging out fellow Nigerians including Yemi Alade, Asake, Wizkid, Davido, Lojay, and Burna Boy — to secure the coveted award.
Tems was born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, and when she was little, her family relocated to the UK; however, when she was five years old.
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo, born as Cynthia Chinasaokwu Erivo to Nigerian parents in Stockwell, South London, on January 8, 1987, is an English actress and singer who gained recognition for starring in the Broadway revival of The Colour Purple from 2015 to 2017.
She won a Grammy Award in 2017 in the category of Best Musical Theatre Album for her role in “The Colour Purple.”
Erivo’s film roles include the 2018 heist film Widows, the 2018 thriller Bad Times at the El Royale, and the 2019 biopic Harriet, in which she portrayed Harriet Tubman.
Cynthia Erivo has a total of two Grammy nominations.
Jenn Nkiru
Jenn Nkiru is a Nigerian-British artist and director, who is known for directing the music video for Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl” and for being the second unit director of Ricky Saiz’s video for Beyoncé and Jay-Z, “APESHIT” which was released in 2018.
In 2021, Jenn Nkiru won a Grammy in the category Best Music Video for “Brown Skin Girl” for directing the music video for Beyoncé.
Jenn Nkiru has only one Grammy nomination.
Sade Adu
Born, January 16, 1959, in Ibadan, Sade Adu as she is popularly known, is the first Nigerian to win a Grammy.
She won Best New Artist in 1986, Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals in 1994 for her song “No Ordinary Love,” Best Pop Vocal Album in 2002 for her album “Lovers Rock” (beating Janet Jackson and NSYNC), and R&B Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocals in 2011 for her song “Soldier of Love.”
Sade Adu has a total of eight
Grammy nominations.
