2025 Grammy: Top Five Grammy holders in Africa and in the world
Photo Credit: Variety
All stars shine but some shine brighter than others. The Grammy Award which is the most prestigious award in the musical industry is the highest recognition award a music artiste can have just like the Oscars dominate the film industry. GRAMMY was first held on May 4, 1959, known as a gramophone award because of its gramophone-shaped nature. Over the years, it has instituted itself as a highly sought-after award for music artists.
Here are top five holders in Africa and in the world generally.
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Top Five most decorated Grammy artists in Africa
Phil Ramone
Phil Ramone a South African-born born later naturalized citizen of America tops the list as the most-awarded Grammy star in Africa. He has fourteen (14) Grammy honors to his name. His first award was under the category of Best Engineered Recording – Non-Classical, which he won in 1965. He also won the Album of the Year in 1976 and 1980. He equally clinched the Producer of the Year in 1981 and other numerous Grammys to his name. Although many argue he shouldn’t be included as an African he started his musical journey in Africa at age 10.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo choral male group from South Africa follows with 5 Grammy wins. Their recognition soared internationally after their unique collaboration with Paul Simon on the album Graceland. Their first Grammy Award was the Best Traditional Folk Recording for their song Shaka Zuku in 1988.
Angelique Kidjo
The legendary Angelique Kidjo of South Africa comes along with four (4) Grammy Awards. Kidjo has been referred to as Africa’s premier diva by TIME Magazine. She is one of the most successful solo act singers in the history of African music. Her first Grammy was in 2007 with her album, Djin Djin honoured as the Best Contemporary World Music Album.
Ali Farka Toure
Following closely is Ali Farka Toure of Mali known for his talented multiinstrumentalist skill. Toure’s blend of Foreign blues with local Malian Jazz was a commendable musical style. His first Grammy came in 1995 as the “World Best Music Album” for his “Talking Timbuktu album.
Soweto Gospel Choir and Owuor Arunga are in the top five decorated Grammy Awards for outstanding musical performance for their 3 Grammy honors respectively. While the Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa got their Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album in 2006 for their album “Blessed”, Aruga from Kenya known for his great trumpeting skills got his Grammy Award in 2014. He had a double award for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for his dexterity in popular Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s record, “Thrift Shop.”
In the world
In the world, Beyonce tops the list of five most decorated Grammy stars with 35 total GRAMMY wins, followed by Georg Solti, with 31 wins. Quincy Jones and Chick Cores came close with 28 Grammys, while Alison Krauss made it to the list with 27 Grammys.
In Nigeria, Tems won the 2025 Best African Musical Performance with her remix classic song “Love Me Jeje”. This is her second Grammy win in her musical career.
Also, Kendrick Lamar was the most awarded artiste of the 2025 Grammy honours as his song “Not like Us” won in all five categories.
