From global superstars often claimed as the pinnacle of musical achievement, some of the most extraordinary, rare talents the world has seen have been afforded Grammy Awards recognition. For too long, African music has had pride of place at rich rhythms, soulful storytelling, and diversified sound; barely a handful of female artists have seen the day when they received a golden gramophone.
They are not just singers but cultural icons, pioneers, and trendsetters who, through their music, broke down barriers and placed Africa on the global map. From the historic win by Miriam Makeba back in 1966 to the groundbreaking victory of Tyla in 2024, these great artists have written their names in music history.
Let’s take a trip down history and celebrate those African women who have won Grammys.
Miriam Makeba – South Africa: Best Folk Recording, 1966.
Nicknamed “Mama Africa,” Miriam Makeba was a lot more than a singer but a revolutionary. Her music was the articulation of the soul of Africa, lacing traditional Xhosa and Zulu melodies with jazz and folk influences. In 1966, she became the first African female artist to win a Grammy for Best Folk Recording for her album An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba – a collaboration with Harry Belafonte.
Makeba’s music was more than just entertainment; it was activism. She spoke against apartheid in South Africa through her voice and became an exile for decades. Her songs like Pata Pata and Malaika are timeless classics, and her Grammy win set a stage for future African female artists to dream big.
Sade Adu – Nigerian/British (1986, Best New Artist)
Sade Adu was the queen of smooth jazz and soul, having won the Best New Artist Grammy in 1986 and introducing the world to her unique blend of sultry vocals and sophisticated instrumentals. Nigerian by birth but raised in the UK, Sade’s music will always be across borders. Some of her hits like “Smooth Operator”, “By Your Side”, and “No Ordinary Love” are still evergreen, playing across all our playlists even decades later.
Her success at the Grammys sealed her position among the world’s best performers of her generation. Though her releases are rarely new, the legacy lives on to inspire myriad artists even nowadays.
Cesária Évora – Cape Verde (2004, Best Contemporary World Music Album)
Dubbed the “Barefoot Diva” for performing on stage without shoes, Cesária Évora introduced the world to the full-of-soul Cape Verdean morna sound. In 2004, she received a Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album for Voz d’Amor, making her the most internationally recognized artist from Africa.
Her voice was deep and as rich as wine, full of raw emotion. Her songbook commonly consisted of a host of works touching on aspects of love, loss, longing, and pejorative feelings often related to her people from Cape Verde. Cesária thus proved that the small corners of Africa could achieve music success throughout the world.
Angélique Kidjo – Benin (2008, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2022)
If there is one African woman who has commanded the Grammy stage, it’s Angélique Kidjo. And with a total of five Grammy wins under her belt, she’s sure to be considered one of the most powerful voices in African music.
2008: Djin Djin Best Contemporary World Music Album
2015: Eve Best World Music Album
2016: Sings Best World Music Album
2020: Celia Best World Music Album
2022: Mother Nature Best Global Music Album
Angélique’s music celebrates African heritage through a fusion of traditional West African rhythms with elements of jazz, funk, and reggae. With powerful performances and thought-provoking lyrics, she gained her place among the greatest musicians of all time.
Tems – Nigeria (2023, Best Melodic Rap Performance)
Tems’ rise has been nothing short of phenomenal, from the back-end role she plays within the Alté scene of Nigeria to collaborations featuring global superstars like Drake and Future. She treads her paths within the international music scene.
She made history in 2023 as she won her first Grammy in the category of Best Melodic Rap Performance, featuring on Wait for U along with Future and Drake. Besides setting her up as one of the most exciting new voices in music, the win also finally opened the way for more female Nigerian artists to break into global recognition.
Tyla – South Africa (2024, Best African Music Performance)
Tyla’s 2024 Grammy win for Best African Music Performance is the beginning of a new era for African music on the global scene. The South African singer, whose genre-bending sound fuses amapiano, Afrobeats, and pop, has captured the hearts of many across the world.
Her chart-topping hit Water went viral and became a social media sensation, introducing millions of listeners to South Africa’s amapiano movement. Winning a Grammy so early in her career proves that African music isn’t just influencing the world; it’s leading the global music conversation.
While such great women have already created history, the future tends to be brighter. The recent rise of Afrobeats and amapiano, among others, insinuates that very soon we could see more females from Africa break into Grammys. With some emerging stars like Ayra Starr, Amaarae, and Sha Sha attracting the attention of fans globally, we can rest assured of new names joining these in no time.
More than the awards themselves, what these women have done is bigger than a trophy: showing the world the depth and beauty of African music, opening doors for younger generations to dream without limits, and proving that African voices belong on the global stage.
A powerful message, indeed, to every young African girl with an aspiring dream in music: “Your voice means something, and your story matters; your abilities can take you to the rest of the world.”
And now, to everyone else who simply loves music: Let’s stay tuned and always support African talent as they soar through and into history.
like
