Nigerian superstar Tems has clinched the Best African Music Performance award at the 2025 Grammys, marking her second career Grammy win.
This year’s category featured an all-Nigerian lineup, with Tems’ hit beating Yemi Alade’s Tomorrow, Asake’s MMS feat. Wizkid, Chris Brown’s Sensational feat. Davido & Lojay, and Burna Boy’s Higher. The category debuted last year, with South African singer Tyla winning for Water.
In an emotional acceptance speech, Tems expressed gratitude:
“Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team. Tomorrow is my mum’s birthday, and this is her first Grammy’s. I just want to thank you, mum, because she’s really done a lot for me and my brother… To God be the glory because honestly, he’s changed my life so much.”
Meanwhile, Alkebulan II by Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra won Best Global Album, beating Nigerian contenders Tems (Born in the Wild) and Rema (HEIS).
Tems and Rema aimed to join Burna Boy who won with his fifth album ‘Twice As Tall’ in 2021 as only the second Nigerian musician to win the Best Global Album prize. Nigeria now has just one win from 16 nominations in the category since King Sunny Ade’s Odu in 1999.
