Grammy's African Award Winners List Excludes Wizkid and Tems, Sparking Reactions

Controversy has stirred among music fans following the Grammy's decision to omit Nigerian Afrobeats artists Wizkid and Tems from their list acknowledging African Grammy winners. The list, which highlights the achievements of African artists since the 1960s, was made public on Tuesday, January 30.

The announcement, which comes ahead of the 66th Grammy Awards set for February 4, 2024, mentioned several prominent figures, including Miriam Makeba as the first African Grammy winner and Sade Adu as the first Nigerian to clinch the coveted award. Additionally, Burna Boy was noted as the latest Nigerian Grammy recipient for his win in 2021.

Unexpectedly, the achievements of Wizkid and Tems were not recognized in the list published on the Grammy's official website.

The Grammy organizers included names such as:

• Miriam Makeba (South Africa) - Best Folk Recording (with Harry Belafonte) - 1966
• Sade Adu (Nigeria/UK) - Best New Artist - 1986
• Ali Farka Touré (Mali) - Best World Music Album - 1994
• Cesária Évora (Cape Verde) - Best Contemporary World Music Album - 2004
• Youssou N’Dour (Senegal) - Best Contemporary World Music Album - 2005
• Angélique Kidjo (Benin/France) - Best Contemporary World Music Album - 2008
• RedOne (Morocco) - Best Dance/Electronic Album - 2010
• Tinariwen (Mali/Algeria/Libya) - Best World Music Album - 2012
• Burna Boy (Nigeria) - Best Global Music Album - 2021
• Black Coffee (South Africa) - Best Dance/Electronic Album - 2022

Following the release, reactions from the music community varied, with some netizens using social media to express their thoughts:

Big Muller: "Wizkid and Tems no get Grammy. What a great time to be alive."

Davidoffct: "Grammy released a list of African artists who have won the Grammy Award and Wizkid is nowhere to be found on their list, so na Iron that boy dey flaunt since?"

Bigsam: "No Wizkid, No Tems, Lmao. In the just listed African Grammy winners. When we say those two are built on other people’s success known as Gumbody, Dem go think say we dey hate, lol. Grammy just clarified us now. Wizkid FC know your place from Now on till Sunday."

Grammys, Controversy, Exclusion