Franc Ashinze 
Nigerian superstar, Afropop sensation, Wizkid will not be receiving any further recognition from the Recording Academy this year after he was snubbed at the winners’ announcement ceremony on April 3.
Wizkid lost in the two categories he was nominated for — Best Global Music Performance (“Essence’) and Best Global Music Album (“Made In Lagos – Deluxe Edition”).
Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence” lost the Best Global Music Performance to “Mohabbat” by a Brooklyn-based Pakistani vocalist, music composer, and producer, Arooj Aftab.
It came as a big surprise, as many thought that given all that “Essence” achieved right from the date of its release in October 2020, was a standout favourite. However, trust crazy things to always happen at the Grammys.
Meanwhile Wizkid lost the Best Global Album award to Beninese singer, Angelique Kidjo’s “Mother Nature.” Burna Boy is credited as a contributor on “Mother Nature.” The victory took 61-year-old Kidjo’s Grammy wins to 4.
Wizkid’s fellow countryman Femi Kuti was also nominated in the two categories with hit song “Pà Pá Pà” and album “Legacy +.”
Wizkid would have become only the second Nigerian to win a Grammy for his original work after Burna Boys triumph last year.
However, the Recording Academy seem to have had other ideas about who they thought deserved the famed golden megaphone.
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