At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Nigerian musicians are making waves, bringing Afrobeats and African music to a worldwide audience. In the Best African Music Performance category, Burna Boy, a Grammy favorite, is at the top of the pack with his song Higher. Nigerian superstars Asake and Wizkid with MMS, Davido and Lojay on Sensational with Chris Brown, and Yemi Alade with her solo Tomorrow are all featured in this category. Afrobeats is a force on the global scene because of these artists, who showcase its distinctive and developing sound.
Meanwhile, Tems, a Nigerian sensation, is aiming for several Grammys this year. Her album Born in the Wild has earned her a nomination for Best Global Music Album, and she is also nominated for Best R&B Song for Burning and Best African Music Performance for her smash song Love Me Jeje. As evidence of her adaptability and widespread appeal, Tems is the only African musician nominated in three different categories this year.
HEIS received a nomination in the Best Global Music Album category for Rema, another Afrobeats powerhouse.
Adding to the African lineup is Beninese legend Angélique Kidjo, a Grammy icon herself. She joins the list of African nominees with her latest work, showcasing her enduring influence and the depth of African talent.
However, despite having a great year, two well-known stars—South Africa’s Tyla and Nigeria’s Ayra Starr—did not earn nominations. Ayra Starr received praise from critics for her record, and Tyla amassed a sizable fan base thanks to her innovative Afropop style. Since both fans and critics anticipated that these breakout musicians would be included in this year’s Grammy roster, their exclusion from the nomination list has generated debate.
With these nominations, Nigerian and African artists are set to make a powerful impact at the 2025 Grammys, making this a historic moment for African music and culture on a global scale.
