With his fifth studio album “Twice As Tall”, Burna Boy became the first Nigerian Afrobeat musician to win a Grammy Award for his own body of work.
In 2020, Burna Boy was nominated for the Global Music Award category but lost to Angelina Kidjo in the same category at the Grammys. In 2021, Burna Boy won his first Grammy Award. The Nigerian crooner had to draw inspiration from Angelique Kidjo in order to create the award-winning album.
This was a turning point for Nigerian artistes and their music. Afrobeat works/projects are now more prominently included in the global awards due to this. Undermentioned is a list of 8 female Nigerian artistes who have the proclivity to replicate Burna’s feat.
8. Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr, a Beninese-Nigerian pop behemoth, was yet to release her first EP at the start of this year, but now the young Don Jazzy protégé is forging her own road to fame with her debut album, and she’s not waiting for anybody.
Starr traveled between Cotonou and Lagos as a youngster owing to her father’s job. She recalls hearing Benini folk music when she was a kid. Starr prioritizes maintaining African characteristics throughout her work, even though she wants her music to appeal to a worldwide audience.
With the release of her first studio album – 19 and Dangerous, it’s obvious that Mavins’ signee is on her way to great things, including the Grammy Awards.
7. Tems
Tems (composer, performer, and recording artist) has been characterized as an alternative musician since he enjoys experimenting with various musical styles.
Tems released her first EP titled “For Broken Ears”. The album is a compilation of songs 7 songs. Tems gained further recognition for her contribution on Wizkid’s Essence which peaked at number 59 on Billboard Hot 100.
So far, Tems’ greatest musical success is been nominated for the Best International New Act in the 2021 BET awards.
6. Layydoe
After featuring in Olamide’s 12 studio album – UY Scuti, Layydoe became well-known throughout the country. With this established fame, o ne thing is certain: she is a hit creator and can churn out bangers time and time again.
Layydoe is a Nigerian musician that blends trap, reggae, hip-hop, afrobeats, and afro-Hindustanis into music. Her distinctive, appealing, and catchy voice has gained her plaudits in a short time period.
In Layydoe’s case, everything is moving in the right direction to getting a Grammy nomination.
5. Teni
Teniola Apata, also known as Teni, is an afro-life singer who has a recording contract with Dr. Dolor Entertainment. In addition to soul, R&B, and country, she also adds a hip-hop influence to her innate afro-beat sound. Her songwriting has earned her recognition and she has released an outstanding Album.
Wondaland broke a variety of streaming records upon its release. In addition to this, she has received many accolades for her musical ability. Teni may win a Grammy in the next few years if she continues at this pace and is groomed by the “best”.
4. Yemi Alade
Yemi is emerging as one of Nigeria’s most talked-about musical innovators because of her strikingly resonant voice, powerfully expressive stories, and exciting beats. The Yemi Alade brand of Afro-fusion draws on his long-standing connection to West Africa’s percussion-heavy highlife genre, and on his desire to listen to popular sounds of his generation.
As a result of her successful breakthrough ‘King of Queens’ album, which encompasses a lot of different subject matter, there is a sultry, sensual coo woven throughout the record which exhibits an introspective to explicit stories, all skillfully tied together by rich and soulful instrumentals she creates herself. Layers of vivid situations and emotional confessions are brought to life via Yemi’s songs, which portrays a young woman’s bold willingness to uncover her deepest flaws and greatest insecurities.
Yemi provided us with a wonderful opportunity to see into the bright and broad future of Afro-fusion. This is only one of many possible futures for Afrobeat and this particular musician who might someday win a Grammy.
3. Sinach
The Grammy Awards is one of the most prestigious awards in the world, honoring excellence among musicians from all over the globe. Sinach may become the first female Nigerian to receive the prize if she wins, since just a few Nigerians have been nominated for and won the coveted honor.
Last year, she became the first African and first black woman to ever top the Billboard Song Writers list, which she held for seven weeks, thanks to Michael W Smith’s version of her song Way Maker, also breaking into the top ten Billboard songs for the first time in history.
2. Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage, Africa’s Bad Girl, is another Nigerian singer that has the potential to win a Grammy. She is a major female icon who has made significant contributions to Afrobeat and Afro-pop via her distinctive voice.
Tiwatope Savage, better known as Tiwa Savage, is a multi-award-winning Nigerian singer who was born in Lagos but lived most of her life in the United Kingdom and America. With the power of a gale-force wind, this multi-talented Grammy award nominee and soulful diva stormed into the African scene in 2010. Her chart-topping first song, “Kele-Kele Love,” captivated the audience in a way that had never been witnessed before. Ms. Savage rapidly rose to the top of the business because to her seductive tones, pulsing dancing routines, and electrifying stage presence.
She has recently met and collaborated with well-known worldwide artists. On her most recent album, CELIA, she collaborated with Grammy Award-winning British vocalist Sam Smith, and she is now known as the “Queen Of Afrobeat.”
1. Niniola
As one of the most popular and renowned female singers in African music, Niniola is a household name in the continent. Rappers like Drake and Timbaland have lauded her work, and Beyoncé has drawn influence from “Maradona” for “Find Your Way Back” from The Lion King: The Gift. In the process, Niniola was nominated for a Grammy.
As a child, she knew she wanted to be an entertainer and was raised in Lagos, Nigeria. Niniola is now known as the ‘Queen of Afro House’ due to her successful songs, debut and second studio albums.
