Entertainment

Grammy 2025: Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Tems, Yemi Alade, Asake Battle For Honours

Published

6 months ago

February 1, 2025

Editor

The 67th Grammy Awards are just around the corner, and Nigeria’s music scene is buzzing with excitement as six of the country’s superstars, including Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Tems, Yemi Alade, and Asake are battling for top honours at this year’s ceremony.

The awards show takes place this Sunday, at the prestigious Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

These talented artists have earned nominations in major categories, including Best African Music Performance, Best Global Music Album, and Best R&B Song. Tems is leading the pack with three nominations, while Burna Boy is making history as the first African artist to receive Grammy nominations for six consecutive years.

The competition is fierce, but these Nigerian superstars are ready to shine on the global stage. Will they bring home the Grammys’ gold-plated trophies? Your guess is as good as mine. But whatever it is, it will be a good outing for Nigerian music stars.

Particularly, Burna Boy is not an unfamiliar face at the Grammys as well as Davido and Tems. With his profound sound and third Grammy nomination in a row, the self-styled African Giant is sure to bag his second Grammy award. His latest song, “Higher” from his album “I Told Them.” which was released in June last year, was nominated in the “Best African Music Performance” category.

This is Burna Boy’s second consecutive nomination in this category. He has the likes of queen of Afro-pop, Yemi Alade, Asake, Tems and Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay to beat in order to clinch the coveted trophy. Like Burna Boy, Tems is one of the top contenders in this year’s Grammys with nominations across three categories. Not only was she nominated for Best African Music Performance with “Love Me Jeje”, she’s also up for Best Global Music Album for her debut album “Born in the Wild.”. She would also be in the running for Best R&B Song for “Burning”, a track from the same album. Building on her Grammy win for contributing to Future’s “Wait for U,” Tems is expected to return home with one of the three Grammy trophies.

Yemi Alade, Asake and Rema are making their first Grammy outing, and one cannot rule out the possibility of one of them clinching at least a trophy. Alade’s nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for her song “Tomorrow”, showcased her resilience, hard-work and dedication to her craft. This adds to her milestone as the first Nigerian female artist and second Nigerian Afro beats artist to reach 100 million views on YouTube for a single video after Davido. Many believe it would be a tough battle for Mama Africa, especially having the likes of Burna Boy, Tems and Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay to beat. Rema has done well for himself, and it’s believed that his nomination for Best Global Music Album for his song ‘HEIS’ was long overdue. But if the Edo boy wins the award, it will definitely open a new chapter in his career as a global superstar as well as Asake,whose nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for his song, “MMS” featuring Wizkid has elevated his status on the global stage.

Also, legendary Beninese-French singer,Angélique Kidjo may rewrite her story if she clinches ‘Best Global Music Performance award, for her collaboration with the Soweto Choir on the powerful track “Sunlight To My Soul”. She has Ghana’s reggae and Afro-Roots artiste, Rocky Dawuni to edge out in order to clinch the trophy.

Meanwhile, Trevor Noah, who is also nominated for Best Comedy Album, will serve as host for the fifth year in a row. He is not only stepping in as master of ceremonies, but he will also serve as a producer, per The Wrap.

Though organisers have cancelled several traditional Grammy Week events this year, transforming the awards night as a fund-raising event, to support major relief efforts following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. The Recording Academy and MusiCares also have pledged over $3.2 million in emergency aid for music professionals affected by the recent wildfires. The show will air on CBS and stream live for Paramount subscribers with Showtime and be available on-demand for Paramount Essential subscribers the following day.

Lineup of performers

Like the previous editions, there has been a first round of confirmed performers, including current Grammy nominees Shakira, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Benson Boone, Doechii, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, and Teddy Swims. Also, joining the lineup of performers at the show are 12 more singers better known as newcomers, Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Lainey Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Brittany Howard, Brad Paisley, Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, and Jacob Collier.

Beyond that, before the show is the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, which will be broadcast live at 12:30 p.m. PT via YouTube and live.grammy.com. Performing at that event are Yolanda Adams, Wayne Brady, Deborah Cox, Scott Hoying, Angelique Kidjo, Taj Mahal, Joe Bonamassa, Joyce DiDonato, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, Muni Long, Kelli O’Hara, and Kevin Puts.

It was previously announced that this year’s ceremony “will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”

Beyoncé

Pop star Beyoncé will be the cynosure of all eyes, as she leads the pack with 11 nominations, including Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter. She is also breaking records as the most-nominated female artist in a single year. Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone received seven nominations, while Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift earned six each. Undoubtedly, this year’s Grammys will be the most contested awards of all time.
(VANGUARD)

Related Topics:Asake Davido Grammy Rema Tem's Yemi Alade

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Entertainment

Iyabo Ojo Calls On Wizkid, Tiwa Savage To Help Seek Justice For Mohbad

Published

2 days ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, has urged singers Wizkid and Tiwa Savage to join the ongoing campaign to get justice for their late colleague, Mohbad.

She explained that the late singer was inspired by them and other top artists to become a musician.

Ojo said it would be unfair if top artists fail to protect their younger colleagues who look up to them.

Speaking during a recent Instagram livestream with fans, the movie star stated that the Nigerian music industry cannot afford to allow what legendary musicians Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and 2Baba went through in the hands of record label executives and the authorities to happen to the new generational artists.

She said, “Wizkid and Tiwa Savage, I need you. These young boys, they come from the slums and ghettos just like most of you did, and they were inspired by you guys to become artists. And they have so much talent. Music is one of the talents that has put Nigeria on the map… These children are making us proud.

“Nigeria is blessed with talents, and we cannot allow any cult or anyone pull them down. We cannot allow anybody pull those children down because their music is what’s giving us joy… We will not allow what Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and 2Baba went through in the hands of record label executives and the authorities to happen to new generational artists.”

However, the rapper and record label executive Naira Marley has repeatedly debunked allegations of his involvement in his former signee Mohbad’s death.

A court in Lagos State recently dismissed Mohbad’s father’s suit against Naira Marley and his associate, Sam Larry, stating that there was insufficient evidence to link them directly to the death.

However, investigation into the singer’s controversial death remains inconclusive two years after.

Entertainment

Mohbad: What I Told Naira Marley Regarding Iyabo Ojo – VeryDarkMan

Published

2 days ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Self-styled activist Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, has revealed that he advised singer Naira Marley to take up a cyberbullying case against actress Iyabo Ojo for her role in dragging his name into the controversies surrounding his former signee Mohbad’s death, but he insisted on leaving her to divine judgment.

He recalled how Naira Marley later changed his mind after Iyabo Ojo allegedly apologised to him at the Lagos State Commissioner of Police office after they (VeryDarkMan and Naira Marley) had planned he should charge her for defamation and ruining his music career.

Speaking in a recent video broadcast via his TikTok page, VDM stated that he was unhappy with Naira Marley’s decision to forgive Iyabo Ojo and allow God deliver justice.

“I told Naira Marley to detain Iyabo Ojo but he said Allah will judge. I told him to lose his cool the moment we enter the Police Commissioner’s office and say Iyabo Ojo’s defamatory remarks have ruined his career and tarnished his image. He said okay, but when he got there and Iyabo said apologised in Yoruba, Naira Marley immediately forgave her. I almost died where I was sitting. I was so upset and disappointed.

“When Samlarry saw that Naira Marley has accepted Iyabo Ojo’s apology, he protesting against it. I was signalling Naira Marley not to accept the apology because I know Iyabo Ojo won’t keep to her end of the agreement. Samlarry shed tears,” he recalled.

Recall that the court acquitted Naira Marley and his associate Sam Larry of complicity in singer Mohbad’s death, four months ago.

Entertainment

Mohbad: You’re Manipulator, Stop Deceiving Nigerians – Portable Blasts VeryDarkMan

Published

2 days ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has lambasted self-styled activist Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, for constantly stirring controversies with the death of singer Mohbad, who died in September 2023 under highly controversial circumstances.

The ‘Zazu’ crooner described VDM as “a manipulator” and urged him to stop deceiving Nigerians.

Portable also slammed VeryDarkMan over his constant attacks on actress Iyabo Ojo, stressing that the activist is jeopardising the ‘Justice for Mohbad’ campaign and not the actress.

He lamented that VDM gained attention for demanding justice for Mohbad but now appears to have turned against the late singer.

Speaking in a recent video broadcast, Portable said, “VeryDarkMan, you came out deceiving Nigerians that you want justice for Mohbad. You’re a manipulator. Now, you’re dragging Iyabo Ojo. What’s really her offense?

“You’re a manipulator. You claimed you want justice for Mohbad, so why are you now going against Mohbad? Leave Mohbad and let him rest in peace. Why are you dragging the dead? You are the one who first alleged that Mohbad was killed by some certain people, and you’re now making a U-turn.

“Are you the one who will tell Nigerians who is good or not? We know people who are good people. We also know the people who bullied Mohbad. Stop deceiving Nigerians.”