Arthur Greene
Nigerian afrobeats stars Burna Boy and Wizkid both won awards at the 2021 Grammys on Sunday evening, reflecting the genre’s growing eminence on the global music stage.
Burna Boy won the Best Global Music Album category while Wizkid won the Best Music Video for his song with Beyoncé; “Brown Skin Girl” from Lion King: The Gift album.
Burna Boy, the self-titled African Giant, is a nominee for a second consecutive year, and won with his Twice As Tall album.
The awards are traditionally billed as “music’s biggest night,” but this year’s ceremony was understated because of the pandemic.
There was no audience and performers – who included Cardi B and Taylor Swift – were separated onto five different stages to maintain social distancing.
Burna Boy, however, didn’t follow suit with the low key circumstances, when he accepted his award via a remote video call.
Wearing a sublime white suit and several glittering silver chains, he said:
“To every African out there, no matter where you are, no matter what you plan to do, you can achieve it […] ‘cos you are a king. Look at me now! Grammy award-winning Burna Boy!”
He then erupts into uproarious celebrations with his family, who were present with him.
The Grammys described Twice As Tall as “a masterclass in the vibe and hustle that have made Burna Boy an international musical force”.
“[He] continues to torch limitations, seamlessly blending styles and genres and fearlessly fuelling the fire heating the melting pot of pop, Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae and more,” it said.
Video source: @ComplexMusic
Picture source: @RecordingAcad
