Mp3bullet.ng presents 3 Countries in Africa with the most Grammy Awards winning artistes.
These are the top 3 countries in Africa that have produced the bigger numbers of Grammy Awards-winning artistes.
However, there are also other countries in Africa whose artists have won Grammy awards, this article focuses on those countries with more 2 grammy winners.
Here are the top Countries in Africa with most Grammy Awards winning artistes
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa and with over 60 million people, it is the 23rd-most populous nation in the world.
South Africa has a global music industry, with several iconic African singers hailing from the country. The country has been the 69originating of many trending sounds that have dominated the continent for years.
This country accounts for a large number of Grammy winners in Africa like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a World Famous South African Singing choral Group founded by Joseph Shabalala, known for its role in introducing traditional Zulu choral music to the world.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo became one of South Africa’s most prolific recording artists, with their releases receiving gold and platinum disc honours.
They are also the most awarded African creatives in history with five Grammy awards
Another South African group is the Soweto Gospel Choir, a South African Singing choral Group of more than 30-member, known for ensembling and blending the elements of African gospel.
Soweto Gospel Choir is three (3) time Grammys Award Winners.
Other Grammy winning-artists from South Africa include Miriam Makeba and Wouter Kellerman.
Mali
Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa, with an area of over 1,240,000 square kilometres (480,000 sq mi) with a population of over 19.1 million.
Mali’s music is culturally diverse, as is that of most African countries, yet one influence dominates69 that of the old Mali Empire of the Mandinka.
The Mande people (Bambara, Mandinka or Malinke or Maninka, Soninke) account for half of the country’s population; other ethnic groups include the Fula (17%), Gur-speakers 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moors 5%, and Europeans 5%. Mali is divided into eight regions: Gao, Kayes, Koulikoro, Mopti, Ségou, Sikasso, Tombouctou, and Bamako (the eighth region, Kidal, was created in 1991).
While Malian popular music has been renowned internationally for its male musicians, female singers such as Kandia Kouyaté have been prevalent on radio and television, in markets, and on street-corner booths since at least the 1980s.
They have a cult following because of the moralizing character of their lyrics, the belief that they represent tradition and their role as fashion trendsetters.
Their artists account for several Grammy Awards being won by African artists.
Late Malian singer and multi-instrumentalist Ali Farka Touré who is a three Grammy winner is recognized for his derivative blends of traditional Malian music, was one of the African continent’s most internationally appreciated performers.
Oumou Sangare is another Malian singer and songwriter, known for supporting women’s rights through wassoulou, a genre of popular music derived from vocals and traditional instrumental of rural southern Mali. Oumou Sangare has won (1x) Grammys award.
Tinariwen is a group of Tuareg musicians from the north of Mali consisting of various guitar professionals sometimes considered as the guitar gods.
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With the publication of their critically praised album Aman Iman in 2007, their international reputation skyrocketed.
The band released their fifth album Tassili on August 30, 2011, which won the Award for Best World Music Album at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012.
They were also nominated two other times in 2017 and 2020, both of which they lost.
Nigeria
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a country in West Africa and the most populous country in Africa. It is a country of rich and diverse cultures with a population of over 211 million.
The music scene in Nigeria includes many kinds of folk and popular music, styles of folk music are related to the multitudes of ethnic groups in the country, each with its own techniques, instruments, and songs.
However, its dominating genre is the Afrobeat which Fela Kuti is credited as its pioneer. AFrobeat has many children which have are finding their place in the international music scene like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Tiwa Savage among others.
The Nigerian Music Industry has also earned several Grammy nominations and awards thanks to its artists.
The first Nigerian to clinch an award from the prestigious organization was Babatunde Olatunji drummer and recording artist who earned an award for his contribution to the “Planet Drum” album won the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album of 1991, the first year in which the award was given.
After years of several other Nigerians like King Sunny Ade and Femi Kuti losing their nominations, Sikiru Adepoju clinched an award after “Global Drum Project” won a Grammy for the Best Contemporary World Music Album in 2009.
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However it was until 2021, a Nigerian artist, Burna Boy won his first major award for his ‘Twice as Tall” album in the Best World Music Album category.
The previous year, his African Giant album had lost its nomination to Beninese singer, Angelique Kidjo.
Another Nigerian superstar, Wizkid won a Grammy in that’s name 2021 thanks to his contribution in Beyonce’s “Brown Skin Girl” which won in the Best Music Video