By Abba Gwale
Two Nigerian artists won big at the recently concluded Recording Academy, also known as Grammy awards with Burna Boy, and Wizkid winning on Sunday night.
The 63rd edition of the Grammy awards was held virtually at the Los Angeles Convention Centre with in-person and pre-taped appearances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wizkid was awarded for his effort in Brown Skin Girl by Beyonce, Blue Ivy and St Jhn which is from Beyonce’s Lion King: The Gift album.
The song won Best Music Video, beating Future and Drake (Life Is Good), Harry Styles, (Adore You), Anderson Paak (Lockdown), and Woodkid (Goliath).
Burna Boy on Sunday won the Best Global Music Album category with his Twice As Tall album, beating Antibalas (FU Chronicles), Bebel Gilberto (Agora), Anoushka Shankar (Love Letters), and Tinariwen (Amadjar).
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar tweeted “I am delighted and proud as a Nigerian at Wizkid’s Grammy win. Wizkid is an epitome of the talent that abounds in Nigeria. Congrats @wizkidayo”.
Government critic, Reno Omokri said “I congratulate @BurnaBoy and @WizKidAyo for their well deserved @Grammy wins. The trio of @NOIweala, Burna Boy and Wizkid have done more for Nigeria’s image than many realise, by projecting Nigeria’s positives and adding value to every Nigerian.”
UK artist, Ms Banks said “Wiz and Burna won a Grammy!? Do you know how BIG this is for Nigeria? Wow!”
Kingsley Moghalu, former Presidential Candidate, said “I congratulate Burna Boy @burnaboy and Wizkid @wizkidayo for their Grammy award wins this evening. Exciting news! This is a tribute to the industry of Nigerian youth and our country’s capacity to compete and win on the world stage. Nigeria’s got talent. Let’s use it!”
Nigerian superstar congratulated the winners, saying “Whichever way you look at it, this is a victory for Nigeria for the culture and for my people ! Congrats to our winners! Tule Naija! 🇳🇬 #Grammys #foreverchoke”
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani pointed out the significance of Nigerians winning the Grammy awards. Sani said the victory by Wizkid and Burna boy was an indication that Africa had come of age.
“Congratulations to @burnaboy and @wizkidayo for the #GRAMMYs; Africa has come of age #grammys2021!,” he tweeted.
