Nigerian Female Singers That Won Grammy Awards Before Tems

Tems.

The Nigerian female sensation Tems joins the league of other powerful songstresses to possess this covetous prize.

Talented Nigerian songstress Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, recently bagged her first Grammy award after having a splendid year in both the local and international music scene.

The sensational Tems received three major nominations in the categories of “Best Rap Song” and “Best Melodic Rap Performance” for her contribution to the hit collaboration with Future and Drake titled “Wait For U.” Tems also received another nomination for “Album Of The Year” as a featured artist on Beyonce’s “Renaissance” album.

At the 65th edition of the Grammy awards, which was held on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, United States, the indie act bagged her first Grammy after four nominations in total. Big congratulations to her.

However, for documentation purposes, it should be recorded that Tems isn’t the first Nigerian (or of Nigerian origin) female singer to win the Grammy award. The following Nigerian female singers have previously won the award.

Helen Folasade Adu, popularly known as Sade Adu, was born in the ancient city of Ibadan on January 16, 1959. The award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress grew up in Essex, England, and was the lead singer of her eponymous band.

Sade Adu.

After gaining attention as a performer, she formed the band Sade and secured a recording contract with Epic Records in 1983, eventually becoming a four-time Grammy winner. She won the “Best New Act” category in 1986, the “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal” category with “No Ordinary Love” in 1994, the “Best Pop Vocal Album” category with “Lovers Rock” in 2002, and the “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals” category with “Soldier of Love” in 2011.