- Catherine Maborukoje
- BET awards, Grammy, Nigerian artists, Nominations
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This has made Nigerian artistes “Masters of International Nominations who win Nothing”—MIN.
The rise of African and Nigerian music on the global stage has been truly remarkable. With artistes like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tems, and Ayra Starr gaining widespread recognition, Nigerian music is currently taking a new face, attracting massive global acceptance. However, despite running through the process of uncomfortable osmosis to become an acquired global taste, for these artistes, international award nominations have always kept coming but winning one is like having hope in hell. It never comes. Even when it does, for the very few, they must have been seriously taught in the school of hard knocks. So, what is really happening?
When an artiste gets an international nomination for an award, it is always like heaven on earth. The electrifying feeling of being recognized by a nearly century-old-award-giving organization, comes with a sense of fulfilment, making one beat the chest in pompous demure saying “I have arrived.”
But that’s probably the feeling of others. For Nigerian artistes, it is always full of mixed feelings. Of excitement, emptiness, bitterness and anger. These often come when they get nominated but never get the awards. For some, there are three nominations but never clinch on one. This has made Nigerian artistes “Masters of International Nominations who win Nothing”—MIN.
Getting nominated and never attaining the opportunity to clutch at the award is like sending a subtle message that “you’re not competent.” Competency, especially in the creative industry, is part of germane condiments that set the trajectory straight. Those who can’t live past the barrage of attacks on their competency, arrowing their creative hearts, have gone to extinction while those who are still strong enough, often convert the attacks to a lyrical muse, adding rhythm to it and selling it in singles.
Growing talents like Asake and Ayra Starr received high-profile nominations for both BET and Grammy Awards. Sadly, they never secure a significant chance to clinch on one. Everything rises and dies in nominations. Even established artistes like Olamide, Davido and Wizkid have faced similar ordeals. The first Grammy Wizkid won in 2021 was a result of a collaboration with an international artiste, Beyonce on the song “Brown Skin girl”. In a real sense, the trio have not independently won any international awards.
Interestingly, one of the key challenges of Nigerian artistes is the intense competition they face from globally renowned superstars with massive fan bases and strong industry support. This makes breaking through and winning international awards a daunting task, especially for artistes who are relatively new to the global scene.
But Nigerian artistes like Kiss Daniel, Davido and Wizkid are not really new to the industry. Maybe, their genre is. And for this, critics have said the judges of most of these international awards don’t know good music.
Artistes like Tems, who was nominated for a Grammy in 2023 and 2024, lost it to Billie Elish and South African rising-singer, Tyla. Funnily enough, an insult was added to the injury of Nigerians when Ayra Starr also lost hers too, to Tyla in both of her 2023 and 2024 BET Award nominations.
It is heartbreaking to see Sabigirl bid the award goodbye. But the struggle to fully penetrate the global music market, especially in regions like Europe and North America, remains an ongoing effort for many Nigerian artistes. Artistes like Burna Boy, Rema, Ayra Starr, and Tems have been making significant strides in overcoming these challenges and gaining recognition on the international stage. Yet, international awards remain a nightmarish fantasy of a daydreamer. But do any of the awards determine competence and talent? Bet no.
Despite these obstacles, the consistent nominations for Nigerian artistes are a testament to the quality and global appeal of Nigerian music. With continued perseverance and determination, Nigerian artistes are poised to eventually clinch more top international awards in the future. It’s clear that Nigerian musicians are here to stay and are just getting started on their journey to global recognition and success. The nominations are just too much noise without a winning action.
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