12 African Musicians Who Have Won Grammy Awards
Since its beginning in 1954, the Grammy Awards have continued to shine a spotlight on and celebrate musical talents all around the world. These awards are widely regarded as the highest form of honor that can be bestowed upon musicians.
Mariam Makeba, a musician from South Africa, was the first African performer to be awarded a Grammy in the 1960s, marking the beginning of the organization’s recognition of outstanding initiatives undertaken by African artists.
Here is a list of twelve African artists that have secured Grammy prizes.
1. Angélique Kidjo (Republic of Benin, 5 Grammys)
Grammy-winning Beninese-French artist Angélique Kidjo has five wins. In 2007, 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2022, Kidjo won for “Best Contemporary World Music Album,” “Best World Music Album,” and “Best Global Music Album.”
The vocal powerhouse received Grammys for “Djin Djin, Eve, Sings, Celia, and Mother Nature.”
2. Ali Farka Touré (Mali, 3 Grammys)
Malian artist Ali Farka Touré won three Grammys. Touré received the 1995 Grammy for ‘Best Global Music Album’ for ‘Talking Timbuktu’.
In 2006, the Malian multi-instrumentalist received his second Grammy for “Heart Of The Moon” alongside Toumani Diabate, weeks before his death.
His 2010 posthumous CD “Ali and Toumani” received Touré his third Grammy for “Best Traditional World Music Album.”
3. Mariam Makeba (South Africa, 1 Grammy
Makeba, known as Mama Africa, received a Grammy in 1966 for her collaborative album “An Evening with Makeba/Belafonte.” Makeba and mentor Henry Belafonte received “Best Folk Recording”
4. Sikiru Adepoju (Nigeria, 2 Grammys)
Two-time Grammy Award winner Adepoju gained international fame in 1991 when he won the Grammy for “Best World Music Album” for his work on Mickey Hart’s “Planet Drum Drum” CD.
5. Babatunde Olatunji (Nigeria, 1 Grammy)
Olatunji, from Nigeria, won a 1991 Grammy for “Best World Music Album.” Olatunji, now deceased, collaborated with thirteen artists on Mickey Hart’s 1991 “Planet Drum” CD, earning all fourteen a Grammy.
6. Owuor Arunga (Kenya, 3 Grammys)
In 2014, Arunga won his third Grammy for his trumpeting on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s “The Heist” album, which won for “Best Rap Album.”
7. Youssou Ndour (Senegal, 1 Grammy)
For the album titled “Egypt,” which was released in 2005, the Senegalese musician Ndour was awarded a Grammy in the category of “Best Contemporary World Music Album and Album.”
8. Tems (Nigeria, 1 Grammy)
Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems, won a Grammy in 2023 for her contribution to Future’s hit tune “Wait For U.” Richard Bona Cameroon (1 Grammy)
In 2002, Cameroonian bassist Richard Bona received a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for “Speaking Of Now.”
9. Wizkid (Nigeria, 1 Grammy)
Wizkid, a Nigerian musician, made waves in 2021 when he was awarded a Grammy for his contribution to the collaboration that Beyonce used on her smash album “Brown Skin Girl,” which was released in 2019. In the category of “Best Music Video,” Wizkid emerged victorious.
10. Soweto Gospel Choir – (South Africa, 3 Grammys)
This Grammy-winning South African gospel choir has won three times. They received 2007 and 2008 Grammys for ‘Best Traditional World Music Album’
For their 2018 album Freedom, the Soweto Gospel Choir won another Grammy in Best World Music Album in 2019.
11. Burna Boy (Nigeria, 1 Grammy)
Burnaboy—Damini Ogulu. Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Burna Boy, from Nigeria, won the 2021 Grammy for Best World Music Album. Burna won for Twice As Tall.
