The trio—Shaboozey (Collins Obinna Chibueze), Cynthia Erivo (Chinasa Onyedinmanasu Ukaegbu Erivo), and Tyler Gregory Okonma—stood tall at the ceremony at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Shaboozey’s Win and Emotional Speech: A Tribute to Immigrant Families
Shaboozey won the Best Country Duo/Group Performance award for “Amen,” alongside Jelly Roll. In his acceptance speech, the Nigerian-American singer dedicated the award to his immigrant mother and all children of immigrants.
Raised in Virginia by Nigerian parents, Shaboozey is known for blending country, hip-hop, and Americana. His 2024 breakthrough hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, broke records and brought him global attention. The song made history by topping both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs chart simultaneously—marking the first time a Black male artist achieved this feat.
Shaboozey’s Nigerian roots heavily influence his music, and his Igbo name, Chibueze, means “God is king.” His father migrated from Nigeria to study in Texas and later moved to Virginia, where he and his wife settled before Shaboozey was born. When his father returned to Nigeria, he started a farming business. During this period, Shaboozey attended boarding school in Nigeria—a multicultural experience he credits for shaping his worldview.
In his emotional Grammy speech, Shaboozey said:
“This is for all children of immigrants… who came to this country in search of better opportunities.”
He continued:
“This is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunity, to be a part of a nation that promises freedom for all and equal opportunity to everyone willing to work for it… Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories and your traditions here. You give America colour. I love you all so much.”
His speech sparked backlash on social media, with some accusing him of failing to acknowledge Black Americans. Shaboozey later clarified on X, stating that his words were not meant to dismiss Black American experiences.
“I am both a Black man and the son of Nigerian immigrants and in the overwhelming moment of winning my first Grammy my focus was on honoring the sacrifices my parents made by coming to this country to give me and my siblings opportunities they never had,” he wrote.
Cynthia Erivo Keeps Soaring Higher
Cynthia Erivo, a Nigerian-British actress, singer, and producer, won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Defying Gravity,” a duet with Ariana Grande.
Born on January 8, 1987, Erivo is known for her powerhouse vocals and commanding presence. She is one of the few individuals to have been nominated for an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award (EGOT), winning all but the Oscar. Her breakthrough came with her Tony-winning role in The Color Purple (2015–2017), and she gained global fame for playing Elphaba in the 2024 film Wicked.
Erivo made her West End debut in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (2011) and her Broadway debut as Celie in The Color Purple (2015–2017). Her performance earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, and a Daytime Emmy Award.
She later expanded into film, appearing in Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale in 2018. Erivo received Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for portraying Harriet Tubman in Harriet (2019) and for her role as Elphaba in Wicked (2024). She also earned a nomination for Best Original Song for “Stand Up” from Harriet.
For reprising Elphaba in Wicked: For Good (2025), she became the first Black actress to be nominated twice for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globe Awards. She is also the second Black actress, after Viola Davis, to receive multiple Best Actress nominations at the Academy Awards.
The Wicked soundtrack album, which was co-billed to Erivo, debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and gave her a first UK top-ten hit with “Defying Gravity.” Her win at the Grammys further cements her position as one of Nigeria’s most influential global stars.
Tyler, the Creator: A Nigerian-Born Music Maverick
Tyler Gregory Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, the Creator, is another Nigerian-born creative force making waves globally. A rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer, director, and actor, Tyler is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in alternative hip-hop during the 2010s and 2020s.
In the late 2000s, he led and co-founded the music collective Odd Future, contributing as a rapper, producer, director, and actor. He later developed his solo career, beginning with his self-released debut album Bastard (2009). His second album, Goblin (2011), brought mainstream attention, fueled by the hit single “Yonkers” and its controversial music video.
After Wolf (2013), Tyler moved away from horror-core to more accessible sounds, blending jazz, soul, and R&B. In 2015, he released Cherry Bomb, featuring Lil Wayne and Kanye West. His 2017 album Flower Boy earned critical acclaim and commercial success.
Tyler also founded clothing brands Golf Wang and Le Fleur, collaborating with Lacoste, Converse, and Louis Vuitton. He founded the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, an annual music festival since 2012, featuring major artists like Kanye West, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, and Billie Eilish. Under the pseudonym “Wolf Haley,” he has directed all his music and promotional videos.
In 2025, Tyler made his feature film debut as Wally in Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme.
Tyler has won three Grammy Awards, three BET Hip Hop Awards, a BRIT Award, and an MTV Video Music Award. In 2019, he was named “Music Innovator of the Year” by The Wall Street Journal. In 2024, the Los Angeles Times featured him in its “L.A. Influential” series as a creator “leaving their mark” on Los Angeles.
At the 68th Grammy Awards, Tyler made history by winning the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Album Cover for his 2024 album Chromakopia. This win marks another major milestone for Nigerian creativity on the global stage.
A Powerful Message for Nigeria
Although Nigeria’s homegrown superstars did not win at the Grammys, the achievements of Shaboozey, Cynthia Erivo, and Tyler, the Creator demonstrate the country’s growing influence in global entertainment. Their wins are not only personal successes—they also highlight the depth and diversity of Nigerian talent and its undeniable impact on the world stage.