68th Grammy Awards: Three Nigerian Stars In Diaspora Shine
Elegbede Abiodun
At the 68th Grammy Awards, three Nigerian-heritage artists made their mark at the prestigious ceremony, demonstrating Nigeria’s expanding influence on global music.
The winners—Shaboozey (Collins Obinna Chibueze), Cynthia Erivo (Chinasa Onyedinmanasu Ukaegbu Erivo), and Tyler Gregory Okonma—delivered standout performances at the ceremony held last Sunday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Shaboozey claimed Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen” with Jelly Roll, dedicating his win to his immigrant mother and children of immigrants everywhere.
British-American singer and actress Cynthia Erivo secured the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance award for “Defying Gravity” alongside Ariana Grande. Meanwhile, Tyler, the Creator made history as the inaugural recipient of the Best Album Cover Grammy for his 2024 album “Chromakopia.” These victories underscore Nigerian artists’ rising prominence in international music.
Shaboozey’s Powerful Acceptance Speech
The Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, and producer has built his reputation blending country, hip-hop, and Americana. Born and raised in Virginia by Nigerian parents, Shaboozey achieved global recognition in 2024 with his chart-topping hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and features on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter.” His innovative fusion of hip-hop and country music established him as one of the year’s breakout artists.
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” dominated both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts simultaneously—a historic first for a Black male artist.
His Nigerian heritage deeply influences his artistry. His name, Chibueze, translates to “God is king” in Igbo. After his father immigrated from Nigeria to study in Texas, he built community ties before relocating to Virginia with Shaboozey’s mother. When his father returned to Nigeria to establish a farming business, young Chibueze attended boarding school there, a multicultural experience that shaped his worldview. His 2018 debut album “Lady Wrangler” showcased eleven versatile tracks, demonstrating his ability to seamlessly transition between soulful country melodies and hard-hitting trap beats.
During his Grammy acceptance speech, the 30-year-old artist honored immigrant communities: “This is for all children of immigrants who came to this country in search of better opportunities, to be part of a nation that promises freedom for all and equal opportunity to everyone willing to work for it. Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories and your traditions here. You give America color. I love you all.”
The speech sparked social media debate, with critics suggesting he overlooked Black American contributions. Shaboozey later clarified on X: “I am both a Black man and the son of Nigerian immigrants, and in the overwhelming moment of winning my first Grammy, my focus was on honoring the sacrifices my parents made by coming to this country to give me and my siblings opportunities they never had.”
Cynthia Erivo’s Continued Ascent
Born January 8, 1987, Cynthia Erivo is a Nigerian-British actress, singer, and producer celebrated for her exceptional vocals and commanding performances. She’s among the rare entertainers nominated across all four major American entertainment awards—Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT)—having won all except the Oscar.
Her breakthrough came with a Tony-winning performance in “The Color Purple” (2015-2017), followed by international acclaim portraying Elphaba in the 2024 film “Wicked.” She debuted on London’s West End in “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” (2011) before conquering Broadway as Celie in “The Color Purple,” earning her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album, and a Daytime Emmy Award.
Her film career launched in 2018 with “Widows” and “Bad Times at the El Royale.” She received Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for portraying Harriet Tubman in “Harriet” (2019) and Elphaba in “Wicked” (2024), plus a Best Original Song nomination for “Stand Up.”
Her reprisal of Elphaba in “Wicked: For Good” (2025) made her the first Black actress nominated twice for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes. She’s the second Black actress after Viola Davis to receive multiple Best Actress Oscar nominations. The “Wicked” soundtrack, featuring seven of her performances, debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and gave Erivo her first UK top-ten hit with “Defying Gravity.” Erivo continues elevating Nigeria’s presence on the world stage.
Tyler, the Creator: Nigerian-Born Musical Visionary
Tyler Gregory Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, the Creator, represents another of Nigeria’s creative exports. The multifaceted artist—rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer, director, and actor—has been recognized as a defining figure in alternative hip-hop throughout the 2010s and 2020s.
In the late 2000s, he led and co-founded the music collective Odd Future, serving as rapper, producer, director, and actor while producing studio albums for fellow members. Tyler starred in the group’s sketch comedy show “Loiter Squad” (2012–2014).
His solo career began with the self-released debut “Bastard” (2009). His second album, “Goblin” (2011), brought mainstream attention, propelled by the single “Yonkers” and its viral music video. During this period, Tyler faced media scrutiny for his horrorcore-influenced sound and provocative lyrics.
Following his third album “Wolf” (2013), Tyler evolved beyond horrorcore toward more sophisticated sounds incorporating jazz, soul, and R&B. “Cherry Bomb” (2015) featured collaborations with Lil Wayne and Kanye West. His 2017 release “Flower Boy” earned widespread critical and commercial success.
Beyond music, Tyler launched clothing ventures Golf Wang and Le Fleur, partnering with Lacoste, Converse, and Louis Vuitton. He founded the annual Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival music festival in 2012, which has hosted Kanye West, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, and Billie Eilish. He has directed all his music and promotional videos under the pseudonym “Wolf Haley.”
In 2025, Tyler made his feature film debut in Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme,” credited under his birth name.
His accolades include three Grammy Awards, three BET Hip Hop Awards, a BRIT Award, and an MTV Video Music Award. The Wall Street Journal named him “Music Innovator of the Year” in 2019. In 2024, the Los Angeles Times featured him in its “L.A. Influential” series as a creator “leaving their mark” on Los Angeles. Tyler’s achievements in music, fashion, and film exemplify Nigerian talent’s global impact.
