Nigerian Nominees at Grammys 2024: Burnaboy’s Loss Explained, Tyla’s Win

Nigerian artists and the Afrobeats genre continue to make a significant impact on the global music scene, as evidenced by their impressive representation in the recently released Grammy Awards nominations list. This recognition further solidifies their collaborative ascent and influence in the music industry.

Among the notable Nigerian artists who received Grammy nominations are Burna Boy, Davido, Olamide, Asake, Ayra Starr, Fireboy DML, CKay, and Tems. Each artist earned nominations in various categories, showcasing the diversity and talent within the Nigerian music landscape.

Burna Boy:

• Nominations for “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” (Best Melodic Rap Performance),
• “I Told Them…” (Best Global Music Album),
• “Alone” (Best Global Music Performance),
• “City Boys” (Best African Music Performance).

Davido:

• Nominations for Best Global Album (“Timeless”),
• Best African Performance (“Unavailable”),
• Best Global Music Performance (“Feel”).

Olamide and Asake:

• Received their first-ever Grammy nominations for their collaborative track “Amapiano” in the category of Best African Music Performance.

Ayra Starr:

• Nominated in the Best African Music Performance category for the global hit “Rush.”

Fireboy DML:

• Earned a nomination in the Album of the Year category for his contributions to Jon Batiste’s “World Music Radio.”

CKay:

• Grammy nomination for his work on Janelle Monáe’s “The Age of Pleasure,” nominated for Album of the Year.

Tems:

• Received a Grammy nomination for her contribution to Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up.”

The nominations showcase the wide-ranging influence of Nigerian artists and their impact on the global music stage. The inclusion of these artists in diverse categories reflects the versatility and creativity that Afrobeats brings to the forefront of the international music scene. Additionally, the recognition of African acts like Trevor Noah, Musa Keys, and Tyla further emphasizes the global appeal and recognition of African talent in the Grammy Awards.

Why Burnaboy Lost 4 Grammy Nominations: Insights

Burna Boy faced disappointment at the 66th Grammy Award ceremony as he did not secure any awards despite being nominated in four different categories. The Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, had high hopes for recognition in the Global Music Performance, Best African Music Performance, Best Melodic Rap Performance, and Best Global Music Album categories.

In the Global Music Performance category, Burna Boy’s song ‘Alone’ lost to the trio of Zakir Hussain, Bela Fleck, and Edgar Meyer’s composition titled ‘Pashto.’

For the Best African Music Performance category, Burna’s ‘City Boys’ faced tough competition but ultimately lost to South African singer Tyla’s track ‘Water.’

In the Best Melodic Rap Performance category, American rappers Lil Durk and J Cole claimed victory with their song ‘All My Life,’ surpassing Burna Boy’s ‘Sittin’ On Top of the World’ featuring 21 Savage.

Burna Boy’s fourth nomination in the Best Global Music Album category also ended without a win. His album ‘I Told Them’ was nominated, but the award went to World fusion band Shakti’s album ‘This Moment.’

Despite the lack of awards this time, Burna Boy’s multiple Grammy nominations reflect his continued impact and recognition on the global music stage.

Tyla Wins First Grammy, Beats Burnaboy and Davido

South African singer Tyla achieved a remarkable victory at the 2024 Grammy Awards by winning the prestigious Best African Music Performance award. The 22-year-old artist surpassed notable Nigerian competitors such as Davido, Asake, and Burna Boy with her chart-topping track ‘Water.’

‘Water’ gained global acclaim by securing a spot in the top 10 in 16 countries, including the UK and the US. The award was presented to Tyla during the 66th Grammy Award Premiere Ceremony held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.

This year marked the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category at the Grammy Awards. Tyla expressed her overwhelming excitement and gratitude in her acceptance speech, thanking God, her team, and her family, including her emotional mother.

I never thought I’d say I won a GRAMMY at 22 years old,” the South African singer said.

Backstage, Tyla emphasized the significance of the award for her and African music, stating, “It means so much. I’ve always been an advocate for African music. I love African music. It’s the music that I make. It’s the music that I listen to all the time, and I’ve believed in it for so long. So, I’m just happy that it’s getting its recognition.”

Even before the Grammy win, “Water” gained attention on social media with a TikTok dance challenge and entered the Billboard Hot 100. The song marked Tyla as the first South African solo artist in 55 years to feature on the chart since Hugh Masekela in 1968. “Water” also topped the Rolling Stone 2023 list of the 40 best afropop songs and received a nomination for Best International Song at the 2024 Brit Awards.

In a post-award interview with the Recording Academy, Tyla shared her joy, mentioning that she was “shaking” and feeling honored to receive the prestigious accolade. She humorously added that her father had already claimed a spot in his room for the Grammy award.

Why Davido Missed Out on Grammy Wins: 3 Key Reasons

The 66th Grammy Awards took place on February 4th, 2024, at Peacock Theater, Los Angeles. Despite being nominated for Best African Music Performance, Best Global Music Performance, and Best Global Album Performance, Nigerian singer Davido failed to secure any wins.

Reasons for Davido’s Non-Win:

1. Tyla’s Stronger Song Presence: In the category where Davido had the strongest chance, Tyla’s “Water” outperformed Davido’s “Unavailable” in the United States. Tyla’s track peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and had a remix with Travis Scott, while Davido’s “Unavailable” did not crack the Hot 100. Tyla’s mainstream success in the U.S. played a crucial role in her Grammy win.
2. Grammy Pedigree: The Grammys often favor artists with a track record of nominations and wins. Davido’s first Grammy outing faced the challenge of not having an established Grammy pedigree. Past winners like Burna Boy and Wizkid also experienced initial losses before securing wins, highlighting the importance of time and accumulated recognition.
3. Preference for Traditional Folk Composition: The Recording Academy tends to favor music with cultural richness and traditional folk elements in global categories. Davido’s mainstream Afrobeats album, “Timeless,” did incorporate African elements but leaned towards a pop sound. In contrast, Grammy-winning albums in the global category often feature significant traditional folk instrumentals, as seen in the winners Shakti’s “This Moment” and “Pashto.”

While Davido’s Grammy loss may be disappointing, the challenges faced are not uncommon for artists in their first Grammy endeavors. With consistency and continued contributions, Davido’s future Grammy prospects remain promising.