Entertainment
Behold, Credentials Of Five Nigerian Grammy Award Winners
The Recording Academy Grammy Award is the most respected award every musician aspires to earn as testament to the impact of their career fortunately we have some Nigerian born Grammy Winners, but you probably haven’t heard about them because it takes a rigorous research to find out some of these artistes as some are foreign based with just blood ties to the country while others are old and probably no longer in the entertainment industry.
Some might have the illusion that it is due to their racial differences as to why Nigerians or Africans are not really nominated or awarded the Grammy Award, but as it says, it’s just an illusion because the Grammys had the African culture at heart when they started the world music category over the years thereby striking off any illusion of racism and gives a clear picture for Africans who decide to pitch into the recording academy to include a proper category typifying new fashioned African sounds.
So with thorough search and research we bring to you the five Nigerians who have won these prestigious awards.
Sikiru Adepoju:- He is the master of the talking drum and many other Yoruba percussion instruments. Born in Eruwa, Nigeria, he hails from the traditional lineage of Yoruba talking drummers culturally referred to as Ayan which means one who has descended from drummers lineage.
He began playing under the tutelage of his father, Chief Ayanleke Adepoju at the age of six along with his brothers, Saminu and Lasisi. Sikiru accompanied the family’s talking drum ensemble for several years.
After moving to Sanfransisco Bay area in 1915, Sikiru joined the influential and pioneering Nigerian percussionist, Babatunde Olatunji and his drums of passion. This marked a lengthy period of high productivity from Sikiru which saw him recording and performing throughout the world until a year before Olatunji’s death in 2003.
During this period, he was introduced to grateful dead Drummr, Mickey Hart who had called Sikiru “The Mozart of the talking Drum” and employed him on many of his personal projects, including the award winning albums, Planet Drum (1991) and Global Drum Project, (2009).
Sade Adu: This is the queen of the list. She has four Grammys in her inspirational career and they were won in 1986, 1994, 2002 and 2011. Born Helen Folasade Adu on January 16, 1959 in Ibadan Nigeria and raised in London by her English mother, the singer and musician developed several interests as a teen, including singing, fashion design and modeling.
She sang with a few local band s before singing with Epic Records and recording her first album, Diamond Life in 1984, a huge hit in her native England also had mass appeal across the pond, thanks to such singles as ‘smooth operator’. In 1986 she won a Grammy award for Best New artiste. Sade’s stronger than pride and love Deluxe established her as top selling soul and pop artiste.
She took a new route with her 2000 album, ‘Lovers Rock’ which was released Eight Years after love Deluxe and incorporated a more mainstream sand. The recording and particularly the chart topping single ‘ helped her win over new audiences. Two years later, the album and ensuring tour inspired her first live recording, Lovers Live. Sade returned to the studio and released her sixth album in February 2010, ‘soldier of love’.
Seal: Seal is very Nigerian and even visited the country recently. He has four Grammy Awards, winning three in 1996 and one in 2011. Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel was born in London England on February 13, 1963 of Nigerian heritage. He went on to score a major UK hit ;kilter.
Before releasing his debut album in 1991, he had become an internationally renowned singer and song writer with albums like ‘Human being’ and hits ‘crazy,’ ‘prayer for the dying’ and ‘kiss from a Rase’ which won multiple Grammy Awards.
He was married to Super model and Television host Heidi Klum for several years.
Kevin Olusola: Kevin is a ‘beat boxer’ in the renowned acapella group, pentatonix and has won three Grammy Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He picked up an award alongside his acapella band, pentatonix taking home the award in the arrangement, instrumental or acapella category for their medley “Deft Punk’s Get Lucky”.
Lekan Babalola: Lekan is a Conga player with two Grammy Awards to his name. He won the awards in 2006, and 2009. Born in Lagos State Nigeria where he began playing the Conga at a young age, he has released seven albums and jointly won two Grammy Awards.
Twice Grammy Award winning Nigerian percussionist, Lekan Babalola is well known for his innovation, musical style, using his native Yoruba tongue infused with traditional music, Afrobeat and Funky dance overtones.
However, some Nigerian Icons have also been nominated for this award. The likes of Sunny Ade, Wizkid, Timaya, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, Femi Kuti and Seun Kufi who is the latest Nigerian to make the coveted compilation to an extent of even landing a Grammy night performance.
Entertainment
“The Legal Day” 2025: Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Moves to Promote French Via Law
In a bid to promote the French language through law and build bridges between communities the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Nigeria has organized the 2025 edition of “La Journée du Droit” (“The Legal Day”)
The event which took place at Alliance Française auditorium was a civic and linguistic celebration designed to help learners of French Language and young citizens discover the importance of law in everyday life.

The Tide Entertainment reports that the event featured interactive quiz sessions, exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa and beyond, pointing out both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
Throughout the day, the event featured interactive quiz sessions exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa, and beyond, highlighting both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
The initiative was aimed at encouraging reflection on the rights and responsibilities shared by all citizens and to promote the values of justice, equality, and mutual respect through the French language.
The programme which had two sessions, (Morning and Afternoon session) witnessed the participation of about 150 students from various levels of education. Ranging from the Primary, Secondary, and tertiary institution for an engaging experience of civic and legal concepts.

Schools in attendance included Surebloom International School, Pleroma High School, Casterly Rock Secondary School, and TotalEnergies Port Harcourt School.
The morning sessions saw the Participation of Alliance Française students in an interactive quiz, enhancing their French comprehension while exploring civic notions.
While the Afternoon session had students from the University of Port Harcourt – UNIPORT (French Language and Law Departments), students from the French Department from both Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Rivers State University joined in the final rounds of the competition.
According to the director of Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal, all quiz questions were presented in French, then translated into English to ensure full understanding by participants, saying that winners received special prizes, as all attendees took home souvenirs from the educational and convivial event.
Mrs Lacal said that the diplomatic and educational initiative event “La Journée du Droit” (The Legal Day) sought to promote the French language through law, highlight the capacity of law to build bridges between communities and emphasize law as one of the pillars of French diplomacy.
“Through this initiative, the Alliance Française Port Harcourt continues its mission to foster intercultural dialogue, civic awareness, and the learning of French as a language of knowledge, culture, and citizenship,”?she?added.
Entertainment
World Music Day: Alliance Française Port Harcourt Showcases Talents
The Garden City of Rivers State Port Harcourt at the weekend joined other parts of the world to celebrate the World Music Day, 2025, as Alliance Française showcases talents.
The event which is internationally known as Fête de la musique was held at cultural hall of the Alliance Française was a remarkable concert with memorable experience.
The event brought together music lovers, students, Artistes and members of the community For an exciting evening live performances and cultural exchange.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the world Music Day, which was created 1982 in France by the then Minister of culture, Jack Lang, ‘ Fête de la Musique’ is now celebrated in more than 100 countries every 21st June, marking the first day of summer with free concerts and musical showcases in public spaces.
In Port Harcourt, the Alliance Française honoured the tradition by spotlighting four(4) emerging artistes offering a platform to young talents shaping the city’s contemporary scene.
The audience enjoyed an unforgettable moments as they were entertained by the powerful performances from Preach A, who is known for blending fitness culture with spoken words and rhythm.
Also, artiste Emmayany delivering a vibrant fusion of afrobeat and afro pop. A singer, song writer and a performing artiste with a distinct sound.
Others were Amarachy Uko, a sensational singer with passion for soul , R&B, pop music and afrobeat.
While DJ Prospel closed the night with an energetic DJ set that got the entire hall dancing.
Earlier, the Director, Alliance Française, Port Harcourt Mrs Marina Lacal high lighted the mission of the Alliance Française saying that the event was more than a concert.
According to her, the event was put together by the Alliance Française to promote cultural diversity and foster artistic expression by connecting a long standing French tradition with creativity of the local music scene, adding that the event offerers an avenue for dialogue between culture and generations.
She stated that the event is used to promote professional and bring amateur artistes to limelight via the platform of the Alliance Française which is aimed at promoting the French Language through cultural heritage.
She explained that the celebration is also a broader series of Fête de la musique activities organized by the 10 Alliance Française across Nigeria in sync with concerts held in France and around the world simultaneously.
She further noted that the occasion reaffirms the role of Alliance Française as a cultural bridge, one where French heritage meets the pulses of Nigerian youth.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 19 artistes applied to perform at the event in Port Harcourt, but only four got approval for appearance.
Entertainment
PMAN Set To Implement Performance Levy ‘Tomorrow
The Governor of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Moses Mabadeje popularly known as Mozy B said that the body has announced plans to implement performance Levy on artistes in the state with effect from 21st June.
This was carried in a statement released to The Tide Entertainment, yesterday by the Deputy Governor of the association, Comrade Abiye Howells.
According to the Governor, the announcement was made by PMAN, the only governing body that regulates the music profession in Nigeria, as authorized by the Government of Nigeria, in line with the Trade Union Act.
He stated that those affected by the Levy include (Non members)bands, groups, Hotels, Bars, lounges, Event Centres, show organizers, promoters and other stakeholders hosting events which feature live music performances within the State.
However, the Levy does not apply to members of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria. (PMAN).
Comrade Moses Mabadeje, explained that this drive is aimed at financing the association and supporting the welfare and interest of musicians as outlined in Article 8 of the PMAN constitution as amended (2023). Consequently, a PMAN task force has been set up to enforce and swing into action to effect this move.
He further said that event organizers, promoters and owners of event centers are expected to comply with this regulation as the Governor has urged stakeholders to collaborate with the association to ensure the successful implementation of the levy and the peaceful co-existence between PMAN and Stockholders.
Nancy Briggs
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