Guide on Watching the 2024 Grammy Awards: Nigerian Superstars Poised to Create History.

As the 66th Grammy Award Ceremony approaches, attention from the Nigerian and continental entertainment spheres converges on the newly established Best African Music Performance category, a highlight at the foremost global music accolades.

The maiden category would have been an all-Nigerian affair but for the inclusion of ‘Water’ by South Africa’s Tyla.

The event is scheduled to be held later in the day at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, United States.

Ahead of the award ceremony, here are a few things to note:

Host – Trevor Noah, the South African comedian and TV personality, returns to host the award show for the fourth time in a row.

‘I Wish You Would’, Noah’s 2022 Netflix comedy special, was also nominated for the ‘Best Comedy Album’ category.

The premiere ceremony would broadcast live from the Peacock Theater at 15:30 in LA, 10:30 pm Nigerian time.

The main award ceremony is scheduled to commence by 20:00 in LA (8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT) which is 3 am Nigerian time.

How to watch the award ceremony : The 66th Grammys will be aired live on CBS, the American commercial broadcast television and radio network. It will also be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ and the Grammy website.

Dstv users would also be able to catch the live show on 1 Magic, channel 103.

Performances: Several household names in the music industry will be taking to take the stage at the awards ceremony. Some of them include Burna Boy, Travis Scott, Sza, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa and Joni Mitchell.

There would also be tribute performances in honour of the lives and careers of some legendary musicians who have passed away.

Nigerians artistes nominated

City Boys – Burna Boy

Burna Boy is the only nominee in the maiden Best African Music Performance category who is not a first-time nominee.

‘City Boys’ is one of his four nominations at the 66th Grammys. Others are: ‘Sittin’ On Top of The World’ feat. 21 Savage – Best Melodic Rap-, ‘I Told Them’ – Best Global Music Album, and ‘Alone’ – Best Global Music Performance.

Burna Boy is the first African artist to earn a Grammy nomination in five consecutive years (2019-2023).

‘City Boys’ remains the song to beat in the Best African Music Performance category given the rich lyrical and vocal delivery, and also Burna Boy’s Grammy pedigree. 

Davido

Timeless album earned Davido his first nomination for the 2024 Grammy Awards, Best Global Album for ‘Timeless’, Best Global Music Performance for ‘Feel’ and ‘Best African Music Performance for ‘Unavailable’ featuring Musa Keys.

Unavailable’ stands out as one of the favourites to claim the gramophone for the maiden Best African Music Performance category. Its lyrical depth and Zulu-themed video which made it the only nominated song with African-styled visuals are some of the factors that have favoured previous winners in the world/global music categories at the Grammys.

Afrobeats and the African music industry at large will be taking centre stage in this year’s Grammy Awards.

Rush – Ayra Starr

Ayra Starr’s Grammy nomination is unique in some ways: ‘Rush’ was nominated in the maiden Best African Music Performance category despite not being released within the eligibility frame – a rare exception in the Grammys.

Also, Ayra Starr became the youngest Nigerian to bag a Grammy nomination at the age of 21.

Amapiano – Asake feat. Olamide

‘Amapiano’ is the only song largely sung in an African language (Yoruba), out of the five songs nominated in the maiden Best African Music Performance category.

The featured artist, Olamide also became the first African rapper to be nominated for a Grammy.