Renowned Nigerian musician and producer, Cobhams Asuquo, has criticised the Grammy Awards following the conclusion of the 68th edition held in Los Angeles on Sunday night, urging Nigerians to focus on building credible homegrown platforms rather than chasing foreign validation.
Speaking after no Nigerian artiste clinched an award — including in the Best African Music Performance category, which was won again by South African singer Tyla — Asuquo accused the global music body of exploiting Nigerian talent to boost the United States’ economy, particularly that of Los Angeles.
“I think Grammy is using Nigerians to boost the GDP of Los Angeles. It’s like a carrot dangling in front of us and it goes away,” he said.
Asuquo argued that despite the international dominance of Nigerian music, particularly Afrobeats, the industry still lacks strong, globally respected institutions capable of rewarding excellence on its own terms.
“I think we need to build something that is ours,” he added, drawing a comparison with American sports culture. “It’s only America that will do Super Bowl and be playing it themselves.”
His comments come amid ongoing debates over the Grammy’s recognition of African artistes, with critics saying the awards benefit more from Afrobeats’ global popularity than the artistes themselves.
In recent years, Nigerian musicians have gained visibility at the Grammys, but controversies surrounding nominations, category placements, and perceived snubs have continued to spark backlash within the industry.
Asuquo’s call to action has reignited conversations on social media, with many Nigerians echoing the need for strong local award platforms that celebrate and elevate talent on African terms, rather than relying solely on foreign validation.
