Nigeria’s music industry continues to gain international recognition as several of its biggest stars secure nominations for the 2025 GRAMMY Awards. The nominations highlight the global rise of Afrobeats and the expanding footprint of Nigerian music on the world stage, signalling that Africa’s sounds are increasingly influencing mainstream music worldwide.

Among the nominees, Burna Boy leads the pack with two nods: one for his hit track “Love” in the Best African Music Performance category, and another for his album No Sign of Weakness in the Best Global Music Album category. 

Davido, featuring Omah Lay, received a nomination for their collaboration “With You”, while rising star Ayra Starr, featuring Wizkid, earned a nod for “Gimme Dat” in the same category. These nominations reflect not only the quality of Nigerian music but also its increasing appeal across international audiences.

The 2025 GRAMMYs mark the continued relevance of the newly introduced Best African Music Performance category, a move by the Recording Academy to acknowledge the continent’s growing influence on the global music scene. 

Also Read: AFRIMA 2025: Nigerian artists dominate nominations list

Historically, Nigeria has produced some of the most nominated artists in African music. Burna Boy has accrued 13 nominations over his career, Tems has eight, and Wizkid has six, showcasing the country’s persistent impact at the awards. These figures highlight the consistency with which Nigerian acts continue to gain recognition on international platforms. 

Experts argue that while the nominations are a testament to the industry’s growth, Nigerian artistes still face challenges breaking into the GRAMMYs’ major general categories, such as Album of the Year or Song of the Year. Winning in these categories would signal an even greater acceptance of Afrobeats as a dominant global genre and elevate Nigeria’s music status on par with the world’s top producers.

Industry observers note that the combination of quality music production, global collaborations, and strategic promotion has helped Nigerian acts stand out. Analysts also suggest that consistent engagement with international markets, streaming platforms, and award bodies will be key for future wins and global recognition.

For fans, the nominations are a source of national pride, reinforcing the idea that Nigerian music continues to define Africa’s global sound. As the world watches the 2025 GRAMMYs, anticipation is high to see if these stars will convert their nominations into wins, further cementing Nigeria’s place on the international stage and inspiring the next generation of Afrobeats artists.

Cynthia Nwanonyiri