Nigeria’s music scene is abuzz after six of its biggest stars, Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Tems, Yemi Alade, and Asake grabbed prestigious nominations in key categories at the 67th annual Grammy Awards.
The – 67th Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on February 2, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles.
From Tems’s “Born in the Wild/”Love Me Jeje”, to Yemi Alade’s “Tomorrow”, Chris Brown’s track “Sensational and Rema’s HEIS, Asake’s “MMS” and Burna Boy’s “Higher”, the stage is set again to put the country’s music on the global spotlight. Analyzing these songs will provide insight into each nominee’s chances of emerging victorious.
Tems’s “Born in the Wild”/ “Love Me Jeje”
Tems is a top contender with three nominations, building on her Grammy win for contributing to Future’s “Wait for U.” Not only is she nominated for Best African Music Performance with “Love Me Jeje”, she’s also up for Best Global Music Album for her debut album “Born in the Wild.”. She will also be running for Best R&B Song for “Burning”, a track from the same album. She released ‘Born in the Wild’ on 7th June 2024, via RCA Records and Since ’93 after her two well-received EPs, The album contained 18 tracks, including “Me & U”, “Love Me JeJe” and “Burning”. Tems gave her all in the album, earning her the nominations. It’s expected that out of the three nominations, the talented singer will return home with at least one of the Grammy trophies next year.
Yemi Alade’s “Tomorrow”
Queen of Afro-pop, Yemi Alade has remained consistent in her career, pushing the boundaries with her music. Her nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for her song “Tomorrow”, showcases her resilience, hard-work and dedication to her craft. This adds to her milestone as the first Nigerian female artist and second Nigerian Afro beats artist to reach 100 million views on YouTube for a single video after Davido. “Tomorrow” released on May 17, 2024 off her sixth studio album, ‘Rebel Queen’ serves the audience with the original African upbeat. Believe it or not, the song is purely cultural with lots of spirituality. The track is a celebration of new beginnings for the songstress. Produced by DeeYassobeatz, “Tomorrow” uplifts listeners with its message of hope and resilience, reminding them that every day presents opportunities for growth and positivity. More so, the catchy melody of this song will stay with the listeners for a long time. However, many believe it will be a tough battle for Mama Africa, having the likes of Burna Boy, Tems and Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay to beat.
Davido’s “Sensational”
Davido earns his second nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for featuring on Chris Brown’s track “Sensational,” alongside rising star Lojay, marking Lojay’s first-ever Grammy nod. The song released in 2023 is another great tune, added to Chris Brown’s impressive discography, showcasing the singer’s impeccable songwriting skills and vocal prowess. The American singer has done it before with tracks like “Under The Influence” and “Call Me Everyday”, featuring Wizkid. But this time around, he came through with a breathtaking joint label “Sensational” where he recruited Davido and Lojay, who added flavor to the song with their unique vocals. Chris Brown is known to have the ability to create chart-topping hits that resonate with audiences worldwide. And “ Sensational” displays his undeniable talent and versatility while staying true to the signature sound that has made him a household name. With its captivating lyrics, impressive collaborations, and top-notch production, this song is sure to earn Davido his first Grammy win, and cement Chris Brown’s status as one of the most talented and innovative singers of all time.
Asake’s “MMS”
Asake hasn’t slowed down since releasing his debut album, “Mr Money with the Vibe” breaking the record for the biggest opening day for an African album on Apple Music at the time and he is set for the big showdown with the likes of Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Tems and Chris Brown for the Grammy’s Best African Music Performance category for his song, “MMS” featuring Wizkid. The song released in June, this year is a blend of traditional Afrobeat rhythms with modern sounds to create a track that exemplifies Asake’s unique style. Though the song may not have made waves like his previous albums, its nomination elevates the status of Asake on the global stage.
Rema’s “HEIS”
Rema has come a long way as a superstar, having gained global recognition for his unique style, vibrant energy and almost solo hits in the past five years. He has been out there making Nigeria proud, and his nomination for Best Global Music Album for HEIS is long overdue. As it stands, the prince of Afrobeats, will have Antonio Rey, Ciro Hurtado, Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Tems to beat in order to clinch the award. His nominated sophomore album, “HEIS,” builds on the success of his debut album, “Rave & Roses,” which featured the global hit remix “Calm Down” with Selena Gomez. Following his 2024 single “Hehehe,” the album with 11 tracks was released in July, this year and sees Rema step into a new era, as he reckons with the thrills of global stardom and pressures of being at the forefront of Afro-pop. If the Edo boy wins the award, it will definitely open a new chapter in his career as a global superstar
Burna Boy’s “Higher”
Burna Boy with his profound sound and third Grammy nomination in a row earned another nomination this year. His latest song, “Higher” released on the 27th of June 2024 through Spaceship Records, is poised to put the self-styled ‘African Giant’ up there again if it eventually clinches the coveted award.
“Higher” is a symphony in which Burna Boy’s distinctive style, lyrical dexterity, creative abilities, and enormous talents for delivering a musical experience that transcends boundaries are on display. Dibs, a Nigerian music producer, is credited with producing the song’s catchy instrumental. The song is in the running for the Best African Music Performance category, adding another feather to Burna’s cap.
Known for his captivating stage presence as well as his musical talent, Burna Boy brings a level of enthusiasm and energy that is infectious when he performs, making it impossible for anyone in the audience to remain still. And these attributes are embodied in ‘Higher’, which may count for its win in next year’s Grammy.
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