As the 66th Grammy Award Ceremony approaches, attention in the Nigerian and continental entertainment spheres is now centered on the recently established Best African Music Performance category at this prestigious global music accolade.

Originally poised to be entirely dominated by Nigerian artists, the category’s lineup saw the addition of ‘Water’ by South Africa’s Tyla.

With the Grammy Award Premiere Ceremony set to take place at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles in just a few hours, NaijaChoice examines the potential outcomes for each nominee in the debut Best African Music Performance category.

Rush – Ayra Starr

Ayra Starr’s Grammy nomination is notably exceptional in several aspects: ‘Rush’ secured a nomination in the inaugural Best African Music Performance category despite being released outside the eligibility timeframe—an unusual occurrence in the Grammys.

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

Given the Grammys’ reputation for surprises, particularly in new or major categories, music enthusiasts are speculating that a female artist will emerge victorious in the newly established Best African Music Performance category, with Ayra Starr and Tyla being considered as strong contenders.

The lyrical depth and overall vocal delivery and performance of ‘Rush’ are factors that could enhance its chances of clinching the gramophone for the Best African Music Performance category, despite the song’s upbeat and groovy beats.

Even with its infectious rhythm, ‘Rush’ maintains substantial lyrical content, conveying a message of triumph over opposition and detractors.

In a recent interview, Ayra Starr revealed that she has already prepared her Grammy acceptance speech and chosen her outfit for the prestigious event.

Amapiano – Asake feat. Olamide

‘Amapiano’ stands out as the sole song predominantly sung in an African language (Yoruba) among the five nominated in the inaugural Best African Music Performance category.

Furthermore, the featured artist, Olamide, achieved a groundbreaking feat by becoming the first African rapper to receive a Grammy nomination.

The track showcases the artists exchanging slick boasts in Pidgin and Yoruba. Asake delivers his flows over well-arranged Amapiano progressions, seamlessly blending with other hip-hop elements and even orchestral symphony. Olamide’s polished rap complements the composition, resulting in a captivating melodic piece.

Certain experts are predicting that the song could secure the gramophone for the Best African Music Performance, considering the skyrocketing popularity of the Amapiano genre and the acclaim garnered by Asake.

Tonight might mark a historic moment for the main man, Asake.

City Boys – Burna Boy

In the debut Best African Music Performance category, Burna Boy stands as the sole nominee with prior Grammy recognition, setting him apart from the other contenders.

Among his four nominations at the 66th Grammys, ‘City Boys’ is featured alongside ‘Sittin’ On Top of The World’ feat. 21 Savage in the Best Melodic Rap category, ‘I Told Them’ in the Best Global Music Album category, and ‘Alone’ in the Best Global Music Performance category.

Remarkably, Burna Boy holds the distinction of being the first African artist to receive a Grammy nomination for five consecutive years, spanning from 2019 to 2023.

With its rich lyrical content and impressive vocal delivery, ‘City Boys’ remains the frontrunner in the Best African Music Performance category, buoyed by Burna Boy’s established Grammy pedigree.

Adding to the anticipation, Burna Boy has been announced as a performer at the 66th Grammys. While his performance will be at the main event at the Crypto.com Arena (Staples Center), not the pre-show at the Peacock Theatre where the Best African Music Performance category is presented, history suggests a trend of performing artists often securing victory in at least one of their nominated categories at the Grammys.

Unavailable – Davido feat. Musa Keys

‘Unavailable’ has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the coveted gramophone in the inaugural Best African Music Performance category. The song’s noteworthy lyrical depth and its Zulu-themed music video, distinguishing it as the sole nominated track with African-styled visuals, align with the factors that have historically favored previous winners in the world/global music categories at the Grammys.

While Davido has also secured nominations in two other categories, namely ‘Timeless’ for Best Global Music Album and ‘Feel’ for Best Global Music Performance, ‘Unavailable’ appears to be his strongest contender for clinching his first Grammy.

Adding to the anticipation, the American prediction site Early4Cast has forecasted that ‘Unavailable’ by Davido featuring Musa Keys will secure the Best African Music Performance award at the 66th Grammys./

Water – Tyla

There may be arguments that Tyla’s ‘Water’ lacks distinct African elements beyond the Afrobeats beat and Amapiano long drums. Nevertheless, the song seamlessly aligns with the criteria set by the Grammys for the newly established Best African Music Performance category.

As per the Recording Academy, the Grammy’s “Best African Music Performance” category is inclusive of both contemporary and traditional music from the African continent, spanning genres such as Afrobeats, Afro-pop, Amapiano, High Life, Fuji, and more.

While ‘Water’ undeniably stands out as the most popular among the five nominated songs in the category, it’s essential to note that Grammy success is not solely determined by popularity, as the awards prioritize the recognition of quality music over sales and chart performance.

Despite its theme revolving around sexual urges, ‘Water’ is acknowledged as a high-quality tune, making it a formidable contender against the other nominated songs based on its musical merits rather than its Stateside popularity.

One potential advantage for Tyla could be the perception among some music enthusiasts that Grammy voters tend to favor South African nominees over their counterparts from other African countries.

Regardless of the outcome tonight, the historic moment promises to open doors for more African Grammy winners and further elevate the recognition of African music on the global stage.