The 67th Grammy Awards nominations have registered a turning point in the recognition of African music with several African artists having received nominations in different categories. This is an important milestone, especially considering the fact that music from the African continent, especially afrobeats and amapiano rhythms, is fast gaining a lot of popularity around the world.
In another year of glorious history for African music at the Gramophone Awards, Nigerian superstar Tems occupies an enviable position of leading three African nominations in connection with the year 2025. This primacy in representation includes performers from Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, and South Africa thereby reflecting the rich musical tapestry of the continent that has been presented on the global music arena’s most coveted platform.
Tems, who has already made history as the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy, continues her remarkable ascent with nominations in three major categories. Her soulful track ‘Love Me JeJe’ competes in the Best African Music Performance category, while her album Born in the Wild seeks recognition in the Best Global Music Album category. Adding to her accolades, she’s also nominated for Best R&B Song for ‘Burning’, demonstrating her versatility across genres. 
The Nigerian-American artist Shaboozey emerges as one of this year’s biggest surprises, securing an impressive five nominations. This achievement marks a significant milestone for African representation in country and crossover music genres, breaking new ground for African artists in traditionally Western musical spaces.
Burna Boy, no stranger to Grammy recognition, continues his impressive run with another nomination for ‘Higher’ in the Best African Music Performance category. This follows his historic win in 2021 for his album “Twice as Tall.” His contemporary, Asake, joins the prestigious lineup with his Wizkid collaboration ‘MMS’ competing in the same category.
The nominations also celebrate established icons alongside emerging talents. Five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo from Benin reinforces her legendary status with a nomination for ‘Sunlight to My Soul’, a collaboration with South Africa’s renowned Soweto Gospel Choir in the Best Global Music Performance category. This nomination adds to Kidjo’s impressive legacy as one of Africa’s most decorated Grammy recipients.
Ghana’s Rocky Dawuni maintains his presence in the Grammy conversation with ‘Rise’ nominated for Best Global Music Performance. This nomination adds to his growing list of Grammy recognition, furthering West Africa’s strong showing at the awards.
Several Nigerian artists mark significant milestones in their careers with these nominations. Davido earns his second Grammy nomination for his contribution to Chris Brown’s ‘Sensational’, while Lojay makes his Grammy debut with the same track. Yemi Alade achieves a career milestone with her first solo nomination for ‘Tomorrow’, marking a significant moment for female representation in African music.
Jordan Adetunji’s nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance highlights the growing influence of Nigerian-rooted artists in mainstream hip-hop categories, further bridging the gap between African and Western music scenes.
This strong showing follows February’s historic moment when South African singer Tyla became the first recipient of the Best African Music Performance Grammy for her global hit ‘Water’ at the 66th Grammy Awards. Her win set a precedent for African artists in this new category, which continues to spotlight the continent’s diverse musical talents.
The expansive representation of African artists across various Grammy categories reflects the growing global impact of African music. From traditional sounds to contemporary fusions, these nominations demonstrate how African artists are not just participating in global music conversations but actively shaping them.
These nominations also highlight the evolving landscape of global music, where African artists are increasingly recognized not just in world music categories but across mainstream genres. This shift represents a significant step forward in the international music industry’s recognition of African musical excellence.
As we approach the 2025 Grammy Awards, these nominations stand as a testament to Africa’s rich musical heritage and its contemporary influence on global popular culture. The diverse range of nominees and categories shows how African music continues to break barriers and reach new audiences worldwide.
Looking ahead to the ceremony, these nominations promise to build on the momentum of previous years, potentially setting new records for African music at the Grammy Awards. Whether through traditional sounds, contemporary Afrobeats, or genre-crossing innovations, African artists continue to demonstrate their essential role in shaping the future of global music.
Looking back at African artists’ Grammy history, the journey has been remarkable. Angelique Kidjo from Benin holds the record for most Grammy wins by an African artist, with five victories across various categories. Her achievements have helped pave the way for the current generation of African musicians at the Grammys.
The significance of these nominations extends beyond individual recognition. They represent the mainstream acceptance of African music genres and the success of streaming platforms in making African music more accessible to global audiences. The rise of Afrobeats and Amapiano on international charts has created new pathways for African artists to reach worldwide audiences.
This year’s nominations also reflect the evolving nature of global music consumption. Streaming data shows that African music genres have experienced exponential growth in markets outside the continent, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, and across Europe. This trend has been supported by high-profile collaborations between African artists and international stars, helping to bridge cultural gaps and expand audience reach.
The 67th Grammy Awards ceremony, scheduled for February 2025, promises to be a landmark event for African music. These nominations not only celebrate individual artistic achievements but also mark a crucial shift in the global music industry’s recognition of African talents and sounds.
The impact of these nominations is expected to create more opportunities for emerging African artists and potentially influence future Grammy categories. As African music continues to shape global pop culture, these nominations serve as a testament to the continent’s rich musical heritage and its growing influence on the world stage.
For the nominated artists, these recognitions represent both personal triumphs and collective victories for African music. Whether they win or not, their nominations have already made history and set new precedents for future generations of African musicians.
As we approach the Grammy ceremony, all eyes will be on these African nominees who are not just competing for awards but are also representing the culmination of decades of African musical evolution and its journey to global recognition. Their success stories serve as inspiration for emerging artists across the continent and underscore Africa’s position as a major force in global music.
Below are the list of categories featuring African nominees:
Best African Music Performance
- “MMS”– Asake & Wizkid
- ‘Higher’ – Burna Boy
- ‘Sensational’ – Chris Brown ft. Davido & Lojay
- ‘Love Me JeJe’ – Tems
- ‘Tomorrow’ – Yemi Alade
Best Global Music Performance
- ‘Sunlight to My Soul’ – Angélique Kidjo & Soweto Gospel Choir
- ‘Raat Ki Rani’ – Arooj Aftab
- ‘A Rock Somewhere’ – Jacob Collier featuring Anoushka Shankar & Varijashree Venugopal
- ‘Kashira’ –Masa Takumi featuring Ron Korb, Noshir Mody & Dale Edward Chung
- ‘Rise’ – Rocky Dawuni
- ‘Bemba Colorá’ – Sheila E. featuring Gloria Estefan & Mimy Succar
Best Global Music Album
- Historias de un Flamenco – Antonio Rey
- Paisajes – Ciro Hurtado
- Alkebulan II – Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- HEUS –Rema
- Born in the Wild – Tems
Best R&B Song
- ‘Burning’ – Tems
- ‘Here We Go (Uh Oh)’ – Coco Jones
- ‘After Hours’ – Kehlani
- ‘Ruined Me’ – Muni Long
- ‘Saturn’ – SZA
