Long before Afrobeats became a global phenomenon, Nigerian artists were quietly laying the foundation for Africa’s influence on the world music stage, especially at the Grammy Awards.

From early nominations to historic wins, Nigerian musicians and creatives have helped shift how the Recording Academy recognises African sounds and talent.

King Sunny Ade, The Trail Blazer

The story begins in the early 1980s with King Sunny Ade, the legendary Juju music pioneer. He became the first Nigerian artist ever nominated for a Grammy Award in 1983 for his album Synchro System in the Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording category. This was a watershed moment for Nigerian music, marking the first time a mainstream global awards institution acknowledged the richness of West African sounds. While King Sunny Ade didn’t win, his nomination opened doors for other Nigerian artists to dream bigger and reach further.

Sade Adu: Breaking Ground

The first Nigerian-born artist to win a Grammy was Helen Folasade Adu, better known as Sade Adu. Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, Sade moved to the UK and became a global music icon with a unique blend of soul, jazz, and R&B. She won her first Grammy in 1986 for Best New Artist, becoming the first Nigerian and one of the earliest African contributors to earn that honour. Over her career, Sade has won four Grammy Awards across several categories, cementing her status as a global legend. Her success helped broaden the Grammy’s musical lens and proved that artists with Nigerian roots could dominate international stages.

Grammy Winners and Influencers of the Modern Era

In recent years, a new generation of Nigerian stars has taken Grammy recognition to even greater heights:

Burna Boy: The Afrofusion heavyweight made history when his 2021 album Twice as Tall won Best Global Music Album, becoming one of the most celebrated Nigerian Grammy victories.

Wizkid: A global superstar, Wizkid secured his Grammy by winning Best Music Video for Brown Skin Girl, a collaboration with Beyoncé that celebrated Black beauty and identity.

Tems: Breaking even more ground, Tems became an award-winning force in 2023 when she took home Best Melodic Rap Performance for her feature on Wait for U with Future and Drake, and again won for Best African Music Performance in 2025. She is the first Nigerian artist to earn multiple Grammy wins.

Another important milestone comes from Sikiru Adepoju, a master percussionist who won a Grammy in 2009 as part of the Global Drum Project in the Best Contemporary World Music Album category.

Today, Nigerian music continues to shape Grammy narratives and broaden international music landscapes. Artists like Ayra Starr, Lojay, and others with recent nominations reflect a new era where Nigerian sounds, from Juju to Afrobeats, are fully embedded in global music conversations.

Nigerian artists stand at the forefront of this transformation forever changing the Grammy conversation as the Grammys evolve with new categories and greater recognition of African music.