Artistes with Nigerian roots who have won the Grammy

Nigeria’s music industry continues to make waves on the global stage, with several artistes earning one of the most prestigious accolades in the entertainment world, the Grammy Awards.

Over the years, musicians with Nigerian roots have showcased their talent, winning Grammys across different categories.

Here is a list of Nigerian-rooted artistes who have clinched the coveted award:

Sade Adu – The First Nigerian Grammy Winner

Helen Folasade Adu, better known as Sade Adu, holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian to win a Grammy Award.

The Nigerian-British singer, famed for her smooth, soulful sound, has won four Grammys.

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She first bagged the award in 1986 when she won Best New Artiste. Her timeless hits, including No Ordinary Love and Soldier of Love, have also earned her recognition in the Best R&B Performance category.

Seal – A Grammy Heavyweight

Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel, known professionally as Seal, is another Nigerian-British artist who has made a mark in the global music industry.
He has won four Grammy Awards, with his 1996 classic Kiss from a Rose earning him three trophies in one night, including Record of the Year.

Sikiru Adepoju – Master of the Talking Drum

While mainstream Afrobeat dominates conversations, Nigerian percussionist Sikiru Adepoju has also earned a place in Grammy history. The master drummer won a Grammy in 2009 for Best Contemporary World Music Album as part of the Global Drum Project, a collaboration with Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, and Giovanni Hidalgo.

Burna Boy – Africa’s Giant on the Grammy Stage

One of the biggest stars of his generation, Burna Boy, born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, secured his place in Grammy history in 2021 when his album Twice as Tall won Best Global Music Album. The self-proclaimed African Giant had been nominated before for his album African Giant, but it was Twice as Tall that finally earned him his first Grammy.

Wizkid – Africa’s Starboy Shines at the Grammys

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, also secured his first Grammy Award in 2021. He won in the Best Music Video category for his collaboration with Beyoncé on Brown Skin Girl, a song that celebrated Black beauty and identity. Wizkid has been a major force in taking Afrobeat global, and his Grammy win further cemented his influence.

Tems

Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, made history in 2023. She won Best Melodic Rap Performance for her feature on Future and Drake’s hit song Wait for U.
The win marked a significant milestone in her career, proving that Nigerian women are also taking their place in the global music scene.

Kevin Olusola – The Beatboxing Grammy Winner

Kevin Olusola, a Nigerian-rooted musician, is best known as a member of the a cappella group Pentatonix. With his impressive beatboxing and vocal skills, Olusola and his group have won multiple Grammy Awards, making him one of the Nigerian-rooted artists excelling in diverse music genres.

Babatunde Olatunji – The Pioneer Drummer

Long before Afrobeat took over the world, Babatunde Olatunji was already making waves as a master drummer.
The Nigerian-born percussionist won a Grammy in 1991 for Best World Music Album with Planet Drum, a collaborative project with Mickey Hart.

Chamillionaire – The Rap Star with Nigerian Roots

Hakeem Temidayo Seriki, better known as Chamillionaire, is an American rapper of Nigerian descent who won a Grammy in 2007. His hit song Ridin’, featuring Krayzie Bone, won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, cementing his legacy in the hip-hop industry.