After a long year of yet more excellent music, the Grammy nominations for the 65th ceremony are out, and it comes as no surprise that African musicians have shown out in notable categories. Due to take place next year on the 5th of February in Los Angeles, California, the Grammys honour significant musical achievements, musicians, songwriters, and record producers worldwide, making it an even prouder moment for some Africans to make their debuts on the nominations roll.
Naija sensation Tems bagged a pair of nominations in the rap category: Best Rap Song and Best Melodic Rap Performance; the nods are for her part in Future’s “Wait for U” alongside Drake. The recognition comes after her first nomination for her breakout single “Essence” with WizKid for Best Global Music Performance.
Speaking of Best Global Music Performance, Nigerian powerhouse Burna Boy will be looking to add more to his Grammy count after scoring a nomination for “Last Last” in this category. Other Africans in the race for this accolade are South Africa’s Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini, and Nomcebo Zikode for “Bayethe”; Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo for “Gimme Love”; and Ghana’s Rocky Dawuni for “Neva Bow Down”. In the running for Best Global Music Album are Angelique Kidjo for Queen of Sheba (alongside Ibrahim Maalouf) and 2021 winner Burna Boy for Love, Damini.
Another noteworthy nomination for Angelique Kidjo is for Best Song Written for Visual Media. The five-time winner is up for her work on “Keep Rising” alongside Jessy Wilson for the movie The Woman King.
On another note, still on global awards, South African rapper Nasty C made history at the MTV EMAs as the first-ever Mzansi act to perform on set just several days ago on the 13th of November. Africans have certainly been doing it big on the world stage.
Here’s the full list of Grammy nominees below:
https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list
