MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Crypto.com Arena on Sunday February 2 came alive as Nigeria’s Afrobeats queen Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, won the second-ever Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance.
The delectable singer picked up the award for her sunny hit song, Love Me Jeje —which samples the iconic 1997 single of the same title by Nigerian pop forebearer Seyi Sodimu— at the 67th Annual Awards night filled with history-making victories, powerful performances, and heartfelt tributes, all set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, a city still reeling from recent devastating wildfires.
Trevor Noah, returning as host, set the tone for the evening, blending humor with poignant moments that highlighted the resilience of both the music industry and the city itself.
The night served as a fundraiser for L.A wildfire relief, with MusiCares leading donation efforts.
This was as a result of the Recording Academy making it clear before the show started that this year’s show wasn’t just about celebrating music —it was also about giving back.
“Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage,” Tems remarked with palpable gratitude while on stage to pick her diadem.
The singer also appreciated her managers and team.
Also on the stage was Tems’ mom, who received a hearty shout-out.
Heading into last night, Tems was tipped as one of the favourites to win this year’s Grammy award, and she beat out a field that included Burna Boy’s Higher, Asake and Wizkid’s MMS, Chris Brown’s Sensational featuring Davido and Lojay, and Tomorrow by Yemi Alade.
The ceremony opened with a stunning performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” featuring Yolanda Adams, Wayne Brady, Deborah Cox, Angelique Kidjo, and Taj Mahal, an emotional tribute to those affected by the fires.
One of the night’s most anticipated moments came when Beyoncé was announced as the winner for Album of the Year, marking the first time in her legendary career that she had taken home the ceremony’s top honor.
But that wasn’t the only history she made. Earlier in the night, Beyoncé became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter, a moment that cemented her influence across multiple genres.
In addition to Best Country Album, Beyoncé also won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “II MOST WANTED” with Miley Cyrus.
Another big winner of the night was Kendrick Lamar, whose diss record to Drake became the evening’s biggest rap triumph.
The song not only took home Record of the Year, but also swept the rap categories, winning Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video.
Adding to the gravity of his achievements, Diana Ross herself took the stage to present Song of the Year to Lamar for “Not Like Us”, a moment that left the crowd in awe.
Quincy Jones, who passed in November, was honored with an amazing tribute that highlighted his impact on music.
Will Smith led a touching segment about the legendary producer’s career, while Herbie Hancock played piano and Cynthia Erivo delivered a soul-stirring vocal tribute.
The tribute reached its climax when Stevie Wonder joined Hancock on stage for a heartfelt rendition of “We Are the World,” a song Jones originally produced.
The crowd stood in ovation as Janelle Monáe closed out the tribute with an ode to Jones’ most iconic body of work, Thriller.
The award honored her contributions to music and culture, celebrating her legacy as both an artist and an advocate.
Beyond Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Doechii, several Black artists made their mark at the Grammys.
Muni Long won Best R&B Performance for “Made For Me (Live on BET),” while SZA took home Best R&B Song for “Saturn.”
Chris Brown secured Best R&B Album with 11:11 (Deluxe), and Tems earned Best African Music Performance for “Love Me JeJe.”
In gospel, CeCe Winans won Best Gospel Album and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance.
Their wins reinforced the cultural significance and dominance of Black artists, making this year’s ceremony one of the best in recent years.
