The Grammy Awards, established in 1954, is regarded as the highest honor in the music industry, recognizing outstanding talent worldwide, including Nigerian artistes for their contributions to global music.
These prestigious awards celebrate and highlight exceptional musical talent on a global stage. For many Nigerian artistes, the Grammy Awards represent the ultimate recognition of their craft, with some artists shaping their musical journey around the goal of winning one.
Nigerian music has evolved significantly over the years, gaining international recognition and attention from the Grammys. As Afrobeats and other African music genres continue to gain traction worldwide, Nigerian artists are increasingly making their mark in the global music industry.
Below is a comprehensive list of Nigerian artistes who have won Grammy Awards.
1. Sade Adu (1986, 1994, 2002, 2011)
Helen Folasade Adu, known as Sade Adu, is a Nigerian-born British singer, songwriter, and actress. Born on January 16, 1959, in Ibadan, Nigeria, she rose to fame in the 1980s. Sade Adu is the first musician of Nigerian descent to win a Grammy Award. Her awards include Best New Artist (1986), Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for No Ordinary Love (1994), Best Pop Vocal Album for Lovers Rock (2002), and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for Soldier of Love (2011). Sade Adu’s soulful voice and unique blend of jazz, soul, and pop music have made her a legendary figure in the music industry.
2. Seal (1996, 2011)
Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel, known as Seal, is a British-Nigerian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born on February 19, 1963, in London, Seal has won four Grammy Awards. His song Kiss From A Rose won him three Grammy Awards in 1996, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. He won his fourth Grammy Award for Imagine in 2011. Seal’s soulful voice and genre-bending music style have made him a household name.
3. Lekan Babalola (2006)
Lekan Babalola is a Nigerian jazz percussionist and musician. Born in 1960, Babalola won a Grammy Award in 2006 for his contributions to Ali Farka Touré’s In the Heart of the Moon. Babalola’s work on the album was recognized in three tracks, showcasing his exceptional talent as a percussionist. This award marked a significant milestone for Nigerian music, highlighting the country’s rich cultural heritage.
4. Chamillionaire (2007)
Hakeem Seriki, known as Chamillionaire, is a Nigerian-American rapper, investor, and entrepreneur. Born in Washington, D.C., Chamillionaire won a Grammy Award in 2007 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for Ridin. This song, featuring Krayzie Bone, was a massive hit, topping the charts and cementing Chamillionaire’s status as a rising star in the hip-hop world.
5. Siriku Adepoju (1991, 2009)
Siriku Adepoju is a Nigerian drummer and recording artist who works largely in traditional African and world music genres. Born on November 10, 1950, Adepoju won two Grammy Awards as a member of Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum and Global Drum Project. His first Grammy Award was in 1991 for Best Contemporary World Music Album for Planet Drum’s self-titled album. He won his second Grammy Award in 2009 for Best Contemporary World Music Album for Global Drum Project’s self-titled album. Adepoju’s work with these groups has showcased his exceptional talent as a drummer and his dedication to promoting African music globally.
6. Kevin Olusola (2015, 2016, 2017)
Kevin Oluwole Olusola, known as K.O, is an American singer, composer, beatboxer, and cellist of Nigerian descent. Born on October 5, 1988, Olusola won three Grammy Awards as a member of Pentatonix. The group won their first Grammy Award in 2015 for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or Acapella for their mashup of Daft Punk tracks, Daft Punk. They won their second Grammy Award in 2016 for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or Acapella for Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Pentatonix won their third Grammy Award in 2017 for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Jolene, featuring Dolly Parton. Olusola’s work with Pentatonix has showcased his incredible vocal range and versatility as a musician.
7. Burna Boy (2021)
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, performer, and record producer. Born on July 2, 1991 in Port Harcourt, Burna Boy won a Grammy Award in 2021 for Best Global Music Album for Twice As Tall. This album, released in 2020, was a critical and commercial success. Known as the King of Afrofusion, he has significantly impacted African and global music. Also, he has continued to release critically acclaimed music, securing multiple Grammy nominations consecutively, 10 nominations infact.
8. Wizkid (2021)
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter. Born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos. Wizkid rose to prominence in the early 2010s with hits like Holla at Your Boy and Tease Me/Bad Guys, becoming one of the most influential and financially successful African artists of the 21st century. Wizkid won a Grammy Award in 2021 for Best Music Video for his collaboration with Beyoncé on the song Brown Skin Girl. The video, co-directed by British-Nigerian filmmaker Jenn Nkiru, was widely praised for its vibrant portrayal of black culture. Nkiru, known for her visually stunning storytelling, had previously worked with Beyoncé on the Apeshit video and the launch of her Ivy Park fashion line. Wizkid’s contribution to Brown Skin Girl marked a significant milestone in his career, further solidifying his status as a global Afrobeats icon.
9. Tems (2023, 2025)
Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter. Born on June 11, 1995, Tems gained widespread popularity after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 single Essence, which received a Grammy Award nomination. Tems won her first Grammy Award in 2023 for Best Melodic Rap Performance for her contribution to Future‘s song Wait for U, featuring Drake. In February 2025, Tems won her second Grammy Award, this time for Best African Music Performance for Love Me Jeje. This award cemented her status as one of the most successful Nigerian artists globally, with two Grammy Awards to her name. Tems has garnered an impressive eight Grammy nominations. This his is proof of her rising influence and outstanding talent in the music industry.
