With Rema and Tems nominated for Best Global Music Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards, critics predict that either artist could secure a win before Davido, who has had a long and illustrious music career.
As music biggest stars all over the world are gearing up for the 2025 Grammys Awards this Sunday Nigerians will be looking forward to who will be the next Afrobeats artist to win a Grammy almost after half a decade to when Burna Boy picked up the win in the Global Music Category.
For the second consecutive year, the Best African Music Performance category returns to the Grammy Awards. Dominated by Nigerian artists, it’s been dubbed the “Nigerian category,” ensuring a Nigerian victory this year.
Last year, South African artist Tyla surprisingly clinched the award, beating out favorites like Davido, who had a successful year with his record-breaking album ‘Timeless’.
This win sparked controversy, as Davido had received significant international media attention leading up to the Grammys. The award presentation fueled further criticism, as Fela Kuti’s ‘Water No Get Enemy’ was played instead of Tyla’s winning song ‘Water’.
With Rema having yet another successful year with ‘HEIS’ and Tems breaking new grounds internationally with ‘Born In The Wild’ and both nominated for “Best Global Music Album” critics are pitching both artists to pick up a win in that category. If critics predictions are accurate this time this will see either of both artists picking up a Grammy win before Davido who has had over a decade of outstanding music career.
Billboard already predicted Tems to win two Grammys on Sunday night. Best African Music Performance and Best Global Music Album. According to international reviews, “Born in the Wild” represents Tems’ journey towards making peace with darkness, contrasting with her earlier work where she sought to escape it. While it is being praised for her artistry by many, reviews criticizes the inclusion of interludes and certain collaborations, such as the feature with Asake and J. Cole’s verse on “Free Fall.”
The release of ‘HEIS’ sparked a division among Afrobeats fans due to its experimental sound. Some criticized the album for its rave-like elements, while others praised it as a refreshing change for Afrobeats, which had become somewhat stagnant with repetitive Amapiano influences.
HEIS, an 11-track album showcased Rema’s desire to push boundaries and explore uncharted sonic territories. For instance, the album’s lead single, ‘Hehehe,’ offered a taste of this experimentation. A blend of gothic rock and Afrobeats, the song is unlike anything the Nigerian music industry has heard of.
Who will win each Nigerian featured category ?
Best African Music Performance
Asake & Wizkid: “MMS”, Burna Boy: “Higher”, Chris Brown featuring Davido & Lojay: “Sensational”, Tems: “Love Me JeJe”, Yemi Alade: “Tomorrow”.
Yemi Alade has earned her first solo Grammy nomination for her song ‘Tomorrow’. Despite not receiving as much attention as some other nominees, the song boasts a strong African identity, blending Nigerian and South African rhythms and lyrics.
In recent years, the Grammys have favored music with a message. Yemi Alade’s ‘Tomorrow’ promotes remembrance, while Burna Boy’s ‘Higher’ focuses on perseverance. Although Alade’s music feels more inclusive, Burna Boy’s overall influence in the music industry this past year might give him an edge.
Davido, Wizkid, and Asake are also strong contenders. However, the Grammy Awards are not based on popularity or streaming numbers. The deciding factor will be the voting members’ perception of which song best embodies African aesthetics.
Who should win
Yemi Alade: ‘Tomorrow’
Who will win
Burna Boy: ‘Higher’
Best Global Music Album
Antonio Rey: Historias de un Flamenco, Ciro Hurtado: Paisajes, Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Alkebulan II, Rema: Heis, Tems: Born in the Wild.
The Grammy’s Best Global Music Album category once again features a diverse range of musical styles from across the globe, each with its unique cultural resonance. From the Spanish guitar and lyrics of Antonio Rey’s ‘Historias de un Flamenco’ to the Peruvian guitar influences in Ciro Hurtado’s ‘Paisajes,’ and the Ugandan-infused sounds of Matt B’s ‘Alkebulan II’ (despite its Chicago release), the nominees offer a wide array of listening experiences.
Though all albums in this category have distinct sounds, Rema’s ‘HIES’ stands out with one that has had more impact within its local terrain; Matt B’s Alkebulan II poetic journey remains a big contenders having been nominated before and while there’s no specific criteria for winning, the voting members are entrusted with selecting the most deserving album.
Who should win
Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Alkebulan II
Who will win
Rema; ‘HEIS’
The 67th Grammy Awards will take place on February 2, 2025 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
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