Which Nigerian has won a Grammy?

---

---

Which Nigerian has won a Grammy?

Burna Boy

Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, is the first Nigerian to win a Grammy as a lead artist in the Global Music Album category (previously Best World Music Album). He achieved this feat in 2021 with his album « Twice as Tall ». The album, which features collaborations with international artists such as Chris Martin and Youssou N’Dour, was praised for its fusion of Afrobeats, dancehall, and reggae music.

List of Nigerian Grammy Award winners and nominees

Aside from Burna Boy, a few other Nigerians have been nominated for Grammy Awards over the years. These include Seun Kuti, Femi Kuti, and Wizkid. However, Burna Boy remains the only Nigerian to have won a Grammy as a lead artist.

South African & Nigerian artists won big at the Grammys

It is worth noting that besides Burna Boy’s win, other African musicians were also recognized at the 2021 Grammy Awards. South Africans Zakes Bantwini, Nomcebo Zikode, and Wouter Kellerman won a Grammy Award in the Best Global Music Performance category, thanks to their contribution to the hit song « Jerusalema ». Nigerian-American rapper, Wale, was also part of the team that won a Grammy for Best Rap Song with « Savage (Remix) ».

Additional questions and answers

1. Who won the most Grammy Awards in history?

Beyoncé

As of 2023, Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by a female artist and the most by any singer in history. She has won 28 Grammy Awards and has been nominated 79 times.

2. Has any African musician won a Grammy Award before Burna Boy?

Yes

Before Burna Boy’s historic win, a few other African musicians had received Grammy Awards recognition. These include Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Ladysmith Black Mambazo (South Africa), and Ali Farka Toure (Mali).

3. What is the difference between the Global Music Album and the World Music Album categories?

The names are different, but they are the same category

The Global Music Album category was renamed from the World Music Album category in 2020 to better reflect the inclusive nature of the category. Both categories recognize music from around the world and feature artists from various cultural backgrounds.

4. When was the first Grammy Award ceremony held?

1959

The first Grammy Awards ceremony was held on May 4, 1959, to recognize and celebrate the best music recordings of the previous year.

5. Who has won the most Grammys for Album of the Year?

Paul Simon

Paul Simon has won the Album of the Year Grammy three times, for « Bridge over Troubled Water » (with Simon & Garfunkel), « Graceland », and « Still Crazy After All These Years ».

6. Who was the first African-American to win a Grammy Award?

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald was the first African-American to win a Grammy Award in 1959, when she won Best Jazz Performance, Soloist for her album « Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book ».

7. Which artist has won the most Grammys in a single night?

Beyoncé

Beyoncé holds the record for most Grammys won by a female artist in a single night. In 2010, she won six Grammys, including Song of the Year for « Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) ».

8. What is the difference between Record of the Year and Song of the Year?

Record of the Year recognizes the performance, Song of the Year recognizes the songwriting

Record of the Year recognizes the artist’s performance of a song, while Song of the Year recognizes the songwriter’s contribution to the song.

Sources:

• Was Burna Boy Snubbed at the Grammys? – viewed on 10 June 2023
• List of Nigerian Grammy Award winners and nominees – viewed on 10 June 2023
• South African and Nigerian artists won big at the Grammys – viewed on 10 June 2023