Nigerian music is making waves globally as Ayra Starr, Asake, Burna Boy, Rema, and Tems have earned nominations at the 2024 MTV European Music Awards (EMAs). These nominations spotlight the continued rise of Afrobeats and its international influence.
Ayra Starr is recognized for her unique style, blending Afropop and R&B, with hits like “Rush” and “Sability” driving her success over the past year. Asake has captivated listeners with his Afrofusion sound, gaining international fame with his hit album “Work of Art”.
Burna Boy, a Grammy winning artist, continues to build on his global acclaim with his Afrobeat, reggae, and hiphop fusion. Rema secured his nomination with his worldwide hit “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez, which topped international charts. Tems’s powerful vocals and contributions to tracks like “Essence” and collaborations with major global artists like Drake have solidified her international presence.
These artists are not just dominating Afrobeats but have become global music icons, and their nominations at the EMAs reflect how far Nigerian music has come on the international stage.
Nigerian artists no longer need validation from awards to affirm their greatness, a sentiment shared by several prominent figures in the industry. Over the years, the global reach and dominance of Afrobeats artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and Tems have solidified the understanding that commercial success, cultural impact, and global recognition far outweigh local or international awards.
Timaya, a veteran in the Nigerian music scene, has been vocal about the limitations of local awards, criticizing them for their perceived lack of credibility. He has highlighted the fact that even after major Grammy snubs, Nigerian artists continue to make waves globally, showing that the absence of an award doesn’t diminish their impact. As he emphasized, the Grammy losses shouldn’t deter artists but rather inspire them to push harder, proving that the industry’s focus should be on music and global influence, not just accolades
Similarly, others in the industry, including Davido and Burna Boy, have expressed that their careers are not defined by winning awards. Davido, for instance, has reiterated that his focus is on connecting with fans and making music that resonates globally. The sheer global influence of Nigerian artists and the continuous chart-topping hits they produce is evidence of their global recognition, often without the need for industry awards to validate their success.
