Nigerian singer Tems made history on Sunday, February 5, 2023, as part of the team that won the Best Melodic Rap Performance award for the hit song “Wait For U,” featuring Future and Drake.
However, a viral claim on social media suggested that Tems was the first Nigerian female musician to win a Grammy. Premium Times, a Nigerian online medium notable for investigative journalism reported “Tems becomes first Nigerian female singer to win Grammy” adding that “…Tems’ is also the first non-mixed Nigerian female musician to win the prestigious award.”
Pulse Nigeria, a popular entertainment blog, tweeted that Tems was the “first Nigerian female artist to win the Grammy Award.”
Fact-Check:
The Grammy Awards, held annually by the Recording Academy, recognise excellence in the music industry. The 65th edition took place on February 5, 2023.
Tems was a winner at the 65th Grammys, receiving the award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for her contribution to “Wait For U.”
However, an investigation by News Central revealed that Tems was not the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy. In 1985, Sade Adu, a renowned artist of Nigerian descent, won the Best New Artist award.
Sade (Helen Folasade Adu), who is British-Nigerian has received additional Grammys in various categories in 1993, 2001, and 2010. Cynthia Onyedinmanasu Chinasaokwu Erivo popularly known as Cynthia Erivo bagged ‘Best theatre Album’ in 2017.
Additionally, Jenn Nkiru, a British-Nigerian filmmaker, won a Grammy in 2021 for co-directing the video for Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl.”
It should be noted that several Nigerian female entertainers have been nominated for Grammy Awards in the past.
Tems was born on June 11, 1995, to the Yoruba family of Mr and Mrs Openiyi. Her father is British-Nigerian, and from whom she earns her British citizenship.
Verdict: False
The claim that Tems is the first Nigerian female musician to win a Grammy is false. The honour was first awarded to Sade Adu, followed by Jenn Nkiru.