Great Grammy Outing For Nigeria’s Tems,  Beyonce

By Akinwale Kasali

After several misses, Beyonce Knowles has finally written her name in the history books of the Grammy by winning the Album of the Year category during this year’s award, which took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday.

For Beyonce the award took many years in coming, but the multi-award wining music superstar, and wife of  entertainment billionaire Shaun Corey Carter, popular as Jay-Z who has many other Grammy wins to her name, can finally heaved a sigh of relief that the award which had eluded her for decades has now been added to her kitty for good.

Among other music sensations who shinned during theu Sunday night’s 67th Grammy Awards award is the iconic  Nigeria’s singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, who won the Best African Music Performance category.

Her song Love Me JeJe, won the award besting other Nigerian musicians, such as Tomorrow by Yemi Alade, MMS by Asake featuring Wizkid, Sensational by Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay, and Higher by Burna Boy.

It was Tems’ second Grammy win, having won the Best Melodic Rap Performance with ‘Wait For You’, featuring Drake during the 65th Grammy awards in 2023.

Beyonce won with “Cowboy Carter,” her bold yet scholarly exploration of the Black roots of country music.

It was the pop superstar’s first time taking the show’s flagship prize, which she’d previously lost four times for albums including the critically lauded “Lemonade” and “Renaissance.”

Members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department presented the award during the ceremony dedicated to L.A. fire relief.

A joyful Beyonce couldn’t hide her feelings when giving her victory speech, said, “It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé acknowledged in her acceptance speech.

“I just want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, all of the hard work. I want to dedicate this to Miss [Linda] Martell, and I hope we keep pushing forward and opening doors,” she said, referring to the first commercially successful Black female country artist. Beyoncé features Martell in two songs on “Cowboy Carter.”

In her acceptance speech, Tems dedicated the awards to her mom and team which she lauded for their hard work in ensuring that she clinched the prestigious award.

“Wow, dear God. Thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team. Tomorrow is my mum’s birthday… I just want to thank you ma because she has really done a lot for me and my brother,” she said.

The “Best African Musical Performance” category was introduced last year  by the organiser, and won by South Africa’s sensation Tyla for her song “Water”.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s David Adeleke also known as Davido has again missed the opportunity to join the Grammy roll calls after failing to win any award at this years Grammy, even though he was nominated for different categories.