The 2025 Grammy Awards was a spectacular night for music lovers worldwide, and African artists once again made their mark on the global stage. Nigerian singer Tems emerged victorious, securing the Best African Music Performance award for her hit song Love Me Jeje. This win solidifies her position as one of Nigeria’s most renowned artists, bringing her Grammy tally to two after her 2023 win for Best Melodic Rap Performance with Future’s Wait For U.
Tems’ Emotional Win
Tems’ victory was a moment of pride for Nigeria and Africa as a whole. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she admitted, “My heart was beating so fast.” It was a historic moment as she became the first Nigerian to win two Grammy awards, surpassing many of her peers in the industry.
Even Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, joined in the celebrations, congratulating the singer for making the country proud on the global stage. Tems was also nominated in two other categories – Best Global Music Album (Born in the Wild) and Best R&B Song (Burning), though she did not take home the trophies in those categories.
The Grammy Awards Best African Music Performance Category
The Best African Music Performance category, introduced only last year, continues to be a significant recognition of Africa’s growing influence in global music. The nominees for this category included:
- Asake & Wizkid – MMS
- Burna Boy – Higher
- Chris Brown ft. Davido & Lojay – Sensational
- Tems – Love Me JeJe – WINNER
- Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
There was some controversy surrounding this category, as Chris Brown was nominated for Sensational, a track that incorporates Afrobeats elements and features Nigerian stars Davido and Lojay. Many felt that the award should be reserved for artists with African origins. However, ultimately, Tems took home the prize, putting any debates to rest.
Other African Nominees Who Came Close
Beyond Tems’ win, other African artists were recognized with Grammy nominations but fell short of securing a trophy. Rema was in the running for Best Global Music Album with Heis, but the award went to Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for Alkebulan II. Similarly, Tems’ Burning was nominated for Best R&B Song, but SZA’s Saturn ultimately claimed the win.
Despite the losses, these nominations highlight the growing global presence of African musicians. Just being recognized in these categories reflects the undeniable impact of African music across genres.
Looking Ahead
With each passing year, African artists continue to break barriers and redefine global music. Tems’ second Grammy win is a testament to the immense talent coming out of Africa. It is also a sign that the continent’s artists are more determined than ever to leave a lasting mark on the industry.
Congratulations to Tems and all the nominees—2025 was another unforgettable year for African music at the Grammy Awards!
