THE music industry is abuzz with excitement as the Recording Academy announces the nominees for the 66th Grammy Awards. Nigerian afrobeats artists have taken centre stage, particularly in the newly introduced category, Best African Music Performance.
Unveiled in June, the Best African Music Performance category has witnessed a remarkable feat with four out of five nominations going to Nigerian talents. Asake and Olamide earned recognition for their collaborative effort on Amapiano, Burna Boy for his hit track City Boys, Davido featuring Musa Keys for the chart-topping Unavailable, and Ayra Starr’s sensational Rush. The fifth nominee in this category is South African sensation Tyla with her song Water.
This momentous occasion marks the first Grammy nomination for Asake, Olamide, and Ayra Starr, signifying a significant milestone for both the individual artists and the thriving Nigerian music industry, reinforcing the global impact of afrobeats.
Continuing his Grammy success, Burna Boy has secured nominations in two additional categories. The Afro-fusion artist is recognised in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category for his collaboration with 21 Savage on Sittin’ on Top of the World and the highly competitive Best Global Music Album category for his work on I Told Them…
Davido, another heavyweight in the Nigerian music scene, has also received a nod in the Best Global Music Album category for his critically acclaimed album Timeless.
While Nigerian artists shine, SZA emerges as the top nominee for the 66th Grammy Awards, earning an impressive nine nominations for her album SOS. Noteworthy contenders include Victoria Monét with seven nominations and several other artists, such as Jon Batiste, boygenius, Brandy Clark, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift, all securing six nominations each.
The nominations encompass recordings released between October 1, 2022, and September 15, 2023, showcasing the diverse and dynamic landscape of the music industry during this period.
Music enthusiasts and industry insiders alike are eagerly anticipating the Grammy Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place on February 4, 2024, at the prestigious Crypo.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event promises to be a celebration of musical excellence, recognizing the outstanding contributions of artists from around the globe.