No Grammy Wins for Nigeria – VDM Claims Award Show Exploits Nigerian Artistes
Popular social media commentator VeryDarkMan (VDM) has reacted strongly to the outcome of the 68th Grammy Awards, where Nigerian artistes failed to win in any of the categories for which they were nominated.
The ceremony, held in the United States on Sunday night, featured some of Nigeria’s biggest music exports, including Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, and Omah Lay. Despite their high-profile nominations and global recognition, none of the artists returned home with a Grammy trophy.
VDM expressed disappointment at the result, suggesting that Nigerian artistes are often instrumental in boosting the global visibility of the Grammys, yet rarely receive recognition for their contributions. “CONFIRMED 🤦♂️💔 All Nigerian artistes nominated at the 68th Grammy Awards have lost in all categories,” he wrote in a widely shared social media post.
He argued that the Grammys often leverage Nigerian fan engagement and global Afrobeats popularity to enhance the relevance and reach of the award show, without properly acknowledging the artistes behind the music. According to VDM, this trend reflects a pattern of underappreciation for Nigerian contributions to the global music industry.
The commentary sparked widespread debate online. Some social media users agreed with VDM, pointing out that Nigerian musicians have helped increase international interest in Afrobeats but are frequently overlooked when it comes to actual awards. Others defended the Grammys, encouraging fans to celebrate the recognition that comes with nominations, which signals Nigeria’s growing influence on the world music stage.
Despite the lack of wins, many fans applauded the artistes for representing Nigeria on a global platform and for continuing to elevate Afrobeats internationally. The nominations alone underscore the country’s strong presence in the music industry and the increasing acceptance of African sounds worldwide.
The discussion around the 68th Grammy Awards has highlighted the ongoing conversation about fair recognition for African artistes and the challenges they face in international award shows. Whether through wins or nominations, Nigerian artistes continue to shape global music trends, inspire emerging musicians, and showcase the talent coming from the continent.
