These remarkable artists have played an important role in crafting the narrative of African music on the global stage, from its inception to the present day. Let’s dive into the inspiring stories of the top 11 African musicians who have made Grammy history!
Top 10 African Musicians Who Have Won Grammy Awards
For decades, African artistes have been making waves in the global music scene, and the Grammy Awards have taken notice.
10. Miriam Makeba (South Africa)
We begin with the icon Miriam Makeba, the first African recipient of the Grammy Awards. Known affectionately as Mama Africa, Makeba was a South African singer, activist, and icon who excelled in various music genres. Her powerful voice resonated globally, educating and entertaining audiences while she fearlessly advocated for justice and equality. Makeba’s legacy endures through her timeless music and unwavering commitment. In 1961, she earned multiple Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, Female Vocal Performance, and Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording.
9. Babatunde Olatunji (Nigeria)
Babatunde Olatunji was a pioneering Nigerian drummer, educator, social activist, and recording artist who was born in Ajido, Lagos State, in 1927. On a scholarship from the Rotary International Foundation, he travelled to the United States in 1950 to study at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He formed a small percussion group to help support himself as he studied public management at New York University after graduating.
In 1959, Olatunji released his debut album, Drums of Passion, which became a major hit and introduced many Americans to world music. He continued to promote African culture through music and education, establishing the Olatunji Center of African Culture in Harlem, New York, in 1966.
Olatunji and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead worked together on the 1991 album Planet Drum, which took home the first-ever Grammy Award for Best World Music Album. Olatunji became one of the first Nigerians to win a Grammy Award as a result of this accomplishment. Olatunji left a lasting legacy as a trailblazer in bringing African drumming to audiences around the world by remaining committed to promoting African music and culture throughout his life.
8. Sikiru Adepoju (Nigeria)
Sikiru Adepoju, a Nigerian percussionist and recording artiste, shares the record with Babatunde Olatunji as one of the first Nigerian recipients of the Grammy Awards. Adepoju won the Grammy Awards in 2008 for his contribution to Mickey Hart’s Global Drum Project.
7. Angélique Kidjo (Benin)
Throughout her career, Angélique Kidjo, a Beninese-French singer-songwriter, actress, and activist, has received a great deal of praise. She has been nominated 15 times and won five Grammys as of the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, making her one of Africa’s most renowned performers.
Her album Djin Djin, which won Best Contemporary World Music Album, was winner of her first Grammy in 2008. She went on to win further accolades, such as Best World Music Album for Sings in 2016. In 2022, Kidjo’s album Mother Nature won the Best Global Music Album, marking her fifth Grammy win and making her the most awarded African solo artist. Throughout her career, Kidjo has been celebrated for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos, contributing significantly to the global appreciation of African music. Read more about Angelique Kidjo Biography, Net worth and Music career.
6. Black Coffee (South Africa)
In 2022, South African DJ, record producer, and songwriter Black Coffee, born Nkosinathi Maphumulo, made history by becoming the first African artist to win the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album with his album Subconsciously. Released in 2021, Subconsciously features collaborations with international artists such as Pharrell Williams, Usher, and David Guetta, as well as South African talents like Msaki and Sun-El Musician.
Black Coffee acknowledged the worldwide appeal of his music and thanked his fans and collaborators after accepting the award. In keeping with the personal significance of this accomplishment, he attended the event with his oldest son, Esona. As well as to being a personal victory for Black Coffee, this milestone also represents a wider acceptance of African musicians in international music genres outside of the conventional “World Music” classifications.
5. Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa)
The Soweto Gospel Choir is a South African ensemble that combines African gospel, Negro spirituals, reggae, and American popular music. Formed in 2002, they won their first Grammy Award in 2007 for their album “Blessed” in the Best Traditional World Music Album category. They have three wins and five nominations.
4. The Kutis (Made, Femi, and Seun Kuti) (Nigeria)
The Kuti family has significantly influenced the global music scene, particularly in the Afrobeat genre. Femi Kuti, the eldest son of the legendary Fela Kuti, has been nominated for the Grammy Awards six times but has yet to secure a win. Seun Kuti, Femi’s younger brother, received a Grammy nomination in 2019 for his album Black Times in the Best World Music Album category.
In 2022, Femi Kuti collaborated with his son, Made Kuti, on the album Legacy +, which earned them a Grammy nomination in the Best Global Music Album category. Collectively, the Kuti family has garnered eight Grammy nominations, reflecting their enduring impact on global music.
3. Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Burna Boy, born Damini Ogulu, has significantly impacted the global music scene with his distinctive Afro-fusion sound. He made history in 2021 by becoming one of the first Nigerian artists to win a Grammy Award for his album Twice as Tall, which earned him the Best Global Music Album.
As of the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, Burna Boy has accumulated a total of over 11 nominations and one win. Notably, he has achieved consecutive nominations from 2018 through 2024, setting a record as the first African artist to be nominated for six straight years. Read a more detailed post about Burna Boy Biography, Net worth, music career and Relationship.
2. Ladysmith Black Mambazo (South Africa)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African male choral group formed in 1960, is renowned for their traditional isicathamiya and mbube vocal styles. They gained international acclaim through collaborations with artists like Paul Simon. With 17 Grammy nominations and five wins, they are the most decorated African artists in Grammy history.
1. Tems (Nigeria)
Temilade Openiyi, better known by her stage name Tems, has become an important figure in the world of music. She left her 9–5 job to pursue a career in music, a move that would bring her recognition on a global scale. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on June 11, 1995. Tems love of music was apparent from an early age. She improved her vocals and created a distinctive style that combines elements of Alté, R&B, and Afrobeats. For Broken Ears, her first extended play, was published in 2020 and demonstrated her unique style and lyrical profundity. Her partnership with Wizkid on the 2020 song “Essence” was a major career turning point. The song received critical acclaim and peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, earning a Grammy nomination and solidifying her presence in the international music scene.
Tems co-starred with Drake on Future’s 2022 song “Wait for U”. She became the first African female singer to do so when the song debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. She became the first female Nigerian musician to win a Grammy in 2023 when the song won her the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance. Alongside her Grammy victory, Tems has won many honours, including as the BMI London Awards’ Impact Award for her innovative artistic vision and artistry. She also co-wrote “Lift Me Up” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, performed by Rihanna, which earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
In 2024, Tems released her debut studio album, Born in the Wild, featuring collaborations with artists like J. Cole and Asake. The album was a commercial success, reaching the top thirty in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Switzerland, and peaking at fifty-six on the U.S. Billboard 200, becoming the highest-charting album by a Nigerian female artist. The album was nominated for Best Global Music Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, with the single “Love Me JeJe” winning Best African Music Performance. Tems’ journey from leaving a conventional job to becoming a globally recognized musician exemplifies the power of passion and perseverance. Her unique sound and dedication to her craft continue to inspire many, solidifying her legacy in the music industry.
Top 10 African Musicians Who Have Won Grammy Awards in History
In conclusion, Grammy Award-winning African musicians have significantly contributed to the global recognition of the continent’s dynamic and varied music landscape. By dismantling borders and demonstrating that African sounds are appropriate everywhere in the world, these guys have completely rewritten the narratives surrounding global music. African excellence has been promoted by icons like Burna Boy from Nigeria, who is renowned for his genre-defining Afro-fusion, and Angélique Kidjo from Benin, who has won numerous Grammy Awards.
Also rising stars like South African sensation Tyla, though still emerging, are building on this momentum by bringing fresh energy to genres such as Amapiano, which has captured global audiences. The contributions of legends such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, whose harmonies earned multiple Grammys, and contemporary Afrobeats icons like Wizkid and Tems, who recently made history at the Grammys, further demonstrate Africa’s undeniable influence on world music. Beyond the accolades, their legacy echoes, representing a new era in which African music receives the attention and acknowledgement it has always merited. We appreciate your time, and before you go, please remember to like, share, and subscribe to Afrokonnect.
