The 66th Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles on February 5, 2024, brought both anticipation and disappointment to the Nigerian music scene. With Burna Boy and Davido leading the charge with four and three nominations, respectively, alongside Ayra Starr, Asake, and Olamide, totalling ten nominations, hopes were high for a victorious night.
However, despite putting forth a commendable performance, Nigerian artists unfortunately did not secure victory in any of the four categories for which they had been nominated. Notably, their contributions were highly regarded and recognised for their exceptional talent and creativity. Although they did not emerge as winners, their presence and representation in these categories further demonstrated Nigeria’s rich artistic landscape and its artists’ immense potential.
Tyla took home the inaugural African Music Performance award, leaving Davido and Burna Boy defeated in the Global Album and Global Music Performance categories, won by Shakti’s ‘The Moment’ and ‘Pashto’ respectively. Additionally, Burna Boy lost the Best Melodic Rap Performance to Lil Durk’s ‘All My Life.’
It was a night of recognition for African music, yet one marked by missed opportunities for the Nigerian contingent.
Here is the complete winners list:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best African Music Performance | Water – Tyla |
| Best Melodic Rap Performance | All My Life – Lil Durk Featuring J. Cole |
| Best Global Music Album | This Moment – Shakti |
| BEST RAP ALBUM | Michael – Killer Mike |
| PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL | Jack Antonoff |
| SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL | Theron Thomas |
| Best Global Music Performance | Pashto – Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain… |
| Best Album Notes | Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos |
| Best Music Film | Moonage Daydream – David Bowie |
| Best Music Video | I’m Only Sleeping – The Beatles |
| Best Song Written For Visual Media | What Was I Made For? [From “Barbie The Album”] |
| Dance The Night [From “Barbie The Album”] | |
| Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media | Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – Stephen Barton & Gordy Haab |
| Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television) | Oppenheimer – Ludwig Göransson |
| Barbie – Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt | |
| The Fabelmans – John Williams | |
| Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media | Barbie The Album |
| Best Comedy Album | What’s In A Name? – Dave Chappelle |
| Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical | Jaguar II – John Williams |
| Best Immersive Audio Album | The Diary Of Alicia Keys |
| Best Historical Album | Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos |
| Best Tropical Latin Album | Siembra: 45º Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo… – Rubén Blades) |
| Best Gospel Album | All Things New: Live In Orlando – Tye Tribbett |
| Best Roots Gospel Album | Echoes Of The South – Blind Boys Of Alabama |
| Best R&B Album | JAGUAR II – Victoria Monét |
| Best Remixed Recording | Wagging Tongue (Wet Leg Remix) |
