Three Nigerian Stars Win at 68th Grammy Awards

While five of Nigeria’s homegrown music stars came up empty at Sunday’s 68th Grammy Awards, three artists of Nigerian descent quietly delivered breakthrough victories at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Shaboozey, Cynthia Erivo, and Tyler, the Creator each claimed trophies, underscoring the expanding global footprint of Nigerian talent across multiple genres.

Shaboozey’s Emotional Tribute to Immigrants

Born Collins Obinna Chibueze to Nigerian parents in Virginia, the 30-year-old genre-blending artist secured Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen” alongside Jelly Roll. His acceptance speech centered on immigrant communities and cultural contributions to America.

“This is for all children of immigrants… who came to this country in search of better opportunities,” Shaboozey declared, dedicating the honor to his mother. He continued: “Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories and your traditions here. You give America colour.”

The remarks sparked controversy on social media, with critics suggesting he overlooked Black American contributions to the country music genre he now dominates. Shaboozey later addressed the backlash on X, clarifying his words “weren’t meant to dismiss Black American experiences.”

From Boarding School to Billboard Domination

Shaboozey’s Nigerian heritage profoundly shapes his artistic identity. His Igbo name, Chibueze, translates to “God is king.” After his father relocated from Texas to establish agricultural ventures in Nigeria, young Chibueze attended boarding school there—an experience he credits with broadening his worldview.

His fusion of hip-hop, country, and Americana reached historic heights in 2024 when “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” simultaneously topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts. He became the first Black male artist to achieve this dual milestone. High-profile collaborations, including work on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, cemented his status as what many consider the breakout star of the year.

Erivo and Tyler Make Their Mark

Meanwhile, Nigerian-born British-American performer Cynthia Erivo—whose full name is Chinasa Onyedinmanasu Ukaegbu Erivo—claimed Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Defying Gravity” with Ariana Grande.

Tyler Gregory Okonma, professionally known as Tyler, the Creator, made Grammy history by winning the inaugural Best Album Cover award for his 2024 release “Chromakopia.”

Collectively, these victories signal Nigerian artists’ accelerating influence across the international music landscape, even as recognition for Nigeria-based musicians remains elusive at major Western award ceremonies.