Grammy 2021… Odds before Burna Boy

Billed To Perform At The Award Pre-Show

It is no longer news that Nigerian superstar and Grammy nominee, Damini Ogulu, better known by the stage, Burna Boy, has again earned a nomination at this year’s edition of the prestigious Grammy Awards.

The news, however, is that the Afrobeat singer will on Sunday, March 14, perform virtually at the 63rd Grammy Awards. The African Giant crooner has already commenced rehearsals in Lagos for this year’s premiere-show, which will be live streamed on GRAMMY.com at 3 p.m. EST. Last year, he performed at the same event that held at Warner Music.

The show, which will be hosted by American singer and songwriter, Jhene Aiko, will kick off with an ensemble of previous Grammy nominees including Gregory Porter, Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra, Regina Carter, and Kamasi Washington performing Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology) in tribute to the late legend Marvin Gaye.

Burna Boy is nominated for this year’s edition of the prestigious music awards in the Best Global Music Category for his album, Twice As Tall, alongside NYC Afrobeat outfit Antibalas, a Brooklyn tribute band also seeking to keep the spirit of Fela alive through their Afrobeat music, and most recently the Grammy-nominated album, Fu Chronicles; Brazilian-American music royalty Bebel Gilberto, who released her first album Agora in six years last year August; British-Indian classical musician, Anoushka Shankar’s Love Letter; and the Tuareg desert rock group cum 2011 winners of the category, Tinariwen with their latest installment, Amadjar.

Though these albums are unique in their own merits, but Burna Boy’s Twice As Tall does stand out amongst the rest for its commerciality, which may or may not prove to be a drawback for him.

Undoubtedly positioned for the Grammys’ consideration, the album was released August 14, last year just a year after his critically acclaimed, commercially resounding middle finger to Coachella and the big font mockers.

Executively produced by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, featuring hip-hop icons such as Timbaland and Naughty By Nature, it’s no surprise that Burna Boy, once again, caught the attention of the Recording Academy.

Previously known as the international category of Best World Music Album, the category was renamed to make it more modern and inclusive.

Other nominees for this year’s ceremony include Beyoncé, Doja Cat, and Megan Thee Stallion for Record of the Year, H.E.R for the Song of the Year, Buju Banton for Best Reggae Album, and more.

This is Burna Boy’s second Grammy nomination after losing to the iconic Angelique Kidjo during the last ceremony. Considering the commendation Twice as Tall has received, it is hope that he will this year take the award home.

Like Darey sang in classic hit, Pray For Me, we all need to be on our bended knees for Ye crooner, as it is still in the air whether or not he will emerge triumphant or if this year’s Grammy campaign will end in another disappointment for Burna Boy and the African listeners who are so fervently rooting for him to bring it home.