As we gear up for the 65th edition of the Grammy Awards, here are 10 Nigerian albums that have been nominated in different categories.
Nigerian and African artists receiving Grammy Award nominations and recognition for their art has been a constant since the early days of Afrobeat, JoJo, and other creative voices. As hard as it is to believe, we have over 10 albums from iconic Nigerian artists all receiving Grammy Award nominations.
The question many may have in their minds would be what Nigerian albums and artists got Recording Academy nods before the era of Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems. That’s why we at NotJustOk have compiled a complete list of 10 different Nigerian albums that have received Grammy Award nominations.
Which Nigerian Album Received a Grammy Award Nomination?
10- Love Damini by Burna Boy
The announcement of the nominees for the 65th Grammy Awards saw Burna Boy receive three album nominations at the prestigious awards. His 2022 project, which impressed many for its originality and creativity, “Love Damini,” earned a nomination in the Best World Albums category. The lead single from the “Last Last” project swept the world and set several records. It also earned him his second Grammy Awards nomination of 2023 in Best International Song Performance as well.
The 19-track album, which was released after the singer’s birthday on July 8th, 2022, is an Afro-fusion project featuring some of the biggest names in the music industry worldwide, such as ED Sheeran, Popcaan, J Hus, etc. .
9. Africa for Africa, by Femi Kuti
Rich in originality and varied in sound, the classic Afrobeat album, “Africa for Africa” by Femi Kuti, released in 2010, earned him a Grammy Award nomination in 2012 at Best world music album Grammy Awards category. This became Femi Kuti’s second nomination in this category.
8. “The African Giant” by Burna Boy
Burna Boy’s African Giant was released in 2019, and it became a project to get the talented singer her first Grammy Award nomination. Rich in diversity of sound and also an impressive list of features, “African Giant” became an album that shredded more light on the diversity of afrobeats’ sounds during the lockdown.
7. “No Place for My Dream” by Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti’s instrumental-rich project Afrobeat, released on June 25, 2013, brought home her third Grammy Award from the Recording Academy in the category of Best World Music Album for the prestigious award in 2014.
6. “Black Times” by Son Kuti and Egypt 80
Black Times, directed by Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, earned a 2018 Grammy Award nomination in the World Music category. The artist released as the CD Black Times album, which was self-produced by Strut Records in 2018. The creative artist became the second son of afrobeat giant Fela Koti who received a nomination at the prestigious Grammy Awards.
5. “Odu” by King Sunny Ade
King Sunny Ade is one of the most influential Juju musicians in Nigeria. He has been nominated twice for Grammy Awards for two different albums. He was nominated for Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording for “Syncro System” in 1984 and Best World Music Album for “ODU” in 1999. Although it didn’t win in either category, the influence he was one of the first artists to be nominated makes his achievement stand out.
Atlantic Records released the studio album “Odu” in 1998. It is an 11-track album produced by Andrew Frankel.
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4. ‘Love Drum Talk’ Babatunde Olatunji
Babatunde earned a Grammy nomination once with his album “Love Drum Talk” which was released on September 23, 1997, under Chesky Records. The 9-track classic album was Babatunde Olatunji’s last commercial release and was nominated by the Recording Academy for the 1998 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album. But Babatunde won once at the Grammy Awards with Mickey Hart’s Planet Drums for Best World Music Album.
3. “Twice As Tall” by Burna Boy
Burna Boy has received two Grammy Award nominations with his album twice. The albums “African Giant” and “Twice as Tall” received Recording Academy approval and earned a nomination for the prestigious award.
The talented musician took home the award for Best World Music Album with “Twice as Tall” in 2021. “Twice as Tall” is Burna Boy’s fifth studio album, released on August 14, 2020, by Spaceship Entertainment, Bad Habit, Atlantic Records and Warner Music .
The 14-track album had major collaborations with acts like Coldplay’s Chris Martin, legend Youssou N’Dour, Anthony Criss, Michael Ammari, and many other music industry heavyweights.
2. “Made in Lagos” via Wizkid
Starboy, Wizkid, has earned two Grammy Award nominations with the album “Made In Lagos” for the upcoming award ceremony on April 4, 2022. Starboy earned a nod in the categories of Best World Music Album and Best World Music Performance for his hit song “Essence.” On the album “Made In Lagos.” “.
The 14-track album is Wizkid’s fourth studio album, released on October 30, 2020, by Starboy Entertainment and RCA Records. The album features major acts in the music industry, from Burna Boy, Skepta, HER, Ella Mai, Tay Iwar, Projexx, Tems, Damian Marley and Terri.
Wizkid is a Grammy Award winner in the Best Video category for his international collaboration with Beyoncé on “Brown Girl”.
1. “Legacy+” By Femi Kuti and Made Kuti
The list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the legend of Afrobeat. Receiving one of the highest-grossing Grammy nominations for an African, Femi Koti has received a nod from the Recording Academy six times for the prestigious Grammy Award. Although he hasn’t won anything yet, the consistent nominations show the Academy’s appreciation for his art. Here are his nominated albums: Legacy + (2021) Fight To Win (2003), Day By Day (2010), Africa for Africa (2012), No Place For My Dream (2014), and others.
His recent double album nomination “Legacy +” with son Made Kuti includes Femi Kuti’s Stop the Hate and Made Kuti’s For (e) suite.
“Legacy +” was produced by Sodi Marciszewer, who worked with the legendary Fela Kuti and released under Partisan Records.
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