Two Nigerians, Burma Boy and Whiz Kid have entered into the Grammy Hall of fame for winning the the highly revered musicians award in different categories, this year 2021.
They are now in the list of highly respected and recognized Nigerians who have achieved this no mean fit.
The Grammy Award, otherwise known as Grammy, is an award presented by the Recording Academy to recognise achievements in the global music industry. The first edition of the award was held on May 4, 1959, while the latest, which is the the 63rd edition occurred on Sunday, March 14, 2021.
Though very uninformed viral sensationalist claimed that these two Nigerian artistes Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, who goes by the stage name Burna Boy, and Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, otherwise called Wizkid, who were part of those that won at the 63rd edition. were the first Nigerians to bag Grammy Awards, music records state otherwise.
Burna Boy won ‘Best Global Music Album’ for his album Twice as Tall, while Wizkid together with Beyoncé and Blue Ivy won ‘Best Music Video’ for the song Brown Skin Girl.
The Findings
It is on record that Sade Adu, won her Grammy in 1985 for the Best New Artiste category in 1991, She also won Grammy in other categories in 1993, 2001 and 2010.
Sikiru Adepoju and Babatunde Olatunji won a Grammy for their work in the album Planet Drum produced by Mickey Hart, which won the Best World Music Album category.
In 2009, jazz percussionist, Olalekan Babalola, won a Grammy for his work on Ali Farka Toure’s In the Heart of the Moon album.
Babalola also won a second Grammy in 2006 for his work on Cassandra Wilson’s album titled Loverly
Also, artistes of Nigerian descent like beatboxer, Kevin Olusola; rapper, Chamillionaire; singer, Seal, have all won the Grammy
Accolades
President Muhammadu Buhari has joined other Nigerians to celebrate Burna Boy and Wizkid for their achievements at the 2021 Grammys.
In a statement on Monday by Garba Shehu, his spokesman, Buhari said he is proud of the singers’ heroics in the global music landscape evidenced by the awards.
“Congratulations to Burna Boy on being conferred the 2021 Grammy, the world’s most prestigious musical awards,” the statement read.
“He has made notable contributions in the field of music which have brought glory to Nigerians at home and abroad. We are proud of his path-breaking achievements.”
It added that the “president also congratulates wizkidayo who emerged as a joint winner of the Grammy Awards in a different category.
Buhari said the awards have again demonstrated Nigerians’ creative prowess. He also expressed optimism that such would open doors for other aspiring musicians
He went on to commend the efforts of previous music legends including King Sunny Ade and Femi Kuti who have also clinched Grammy nominations in the past and shot the country’s music industry into the international limelight.
Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, had earlier also congratulated the two music stars for their heroics.
Wizkid and Beyonce won the ‘Best Music Video’ category for ‘Brown Skin Girl‘, their 2019 collaboration, while Burna Boy emerged winner of the ‘Best Global Music Album’ category for ‘Twice As Tall‘, his 2020 album
The music stars snagged their first Grammys after winning their respective categories at the award ceremony held in Los Angeles on Sunday.
