Since juju legend, King Sunny Ade, opened the door to Grammy nomination for Nigerian singers after becoming the first-ever Nigerian to be nominated for the award with his 1984 album ‘Synchro System’, Nigerians have continued to shine at the world’s biggest music award.
Although KSA has never won a Grammy, here are seven Nigerians who have won.
Sade Adu
Ibadan-born and London-raised Folashade Adu, referred to as Sade Adu, became the first Nigerian to win a Grammy.
She won the award in the Best New Artist category in 1986 and has since won three more in 1994, 2002 and 2011.
Seal
Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, ‘Seal’ is a British-Nigerian born to a Nigerian mother, Adebisi Ogundeji, and an Afro-Brazilian father.
He scored a hat trick win at the Grammy in 1995 with his hit single ‘Kiss from a Rose’.
He won his fourth Grammy in 2010.
Chamillionaire
Hakeem Temidayo Seriki ‘Chamillionaire’, a Nigerian-American rapper, won his first and only Grammy in 2007 in Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for his smash hit single single single hit ‘Ridin’.
Sikiru Adepoju
Nigerian-born Sikiru Adepoju was honoured for his work on the ‘Global Drum Project’ that parades various artistes with different musical skills in 2009.
Cynthia Erivo
British-Nigerian actress Cynthia Onyedinmanasu Chinasaokwu Erivo, aka Cynthia Erivo sang her way to snatch the Grammy award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2017 for ‘Colour Purple’.
Burna Boy
Burna Boy became the first Nigerian in Nigeria to bring home a Grammy in 2021 for Best Global Music Album with his album ‘Twice As Tall’.
Wizkid
Wizkid made history in 2021 with his first Grammy win for Best Music video for Brown Skin Girl, his collaboration with Beyonce.
He was also nominated for Best Album for his work on Views with Drake.