This will be the first time that Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Tems have been in contention for awards at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards, together with other leading Nigerian music acts-a sure sign that African acts have begun to leave an impression on the world stage of music.
The 56th NAACP Awards will hold on February 22, 2025, at the Pasadena Civic Centre in California, after a series of activities showcasing brilliance in various artistic work.
Wizkid is one of Afrobeats royalty, snaring two nods for his collaboration “Piece of My Heart,” on which American singer Brent Faiyaz is featured.
He is in contention for the categories of Outstanding Duo or Collaboration and Outstanding International Song. This only goes to show that Wizkid is doing something right in the music world and can merge cultures with his art.
Of course, the other Afrobeats giant did his fair share of waves and moments in this year’s awards: Burna Boy. He was nominated in the “Best Collaboration” category with R&B megastar Usher for the song “Coming Home.” Burna Boy, full element, fit his sound into any other genre while not losing his African identity to further seal his status as an ambassador to African music across the globe.
Tems is a soulful singer, always full of great lyrics. The nom was well-won with her track “Love Me JeJe,” which goes for “Outstanding International Song.” This further proves how great it has been, as well as the rise of female artists in the industry. She surely has risen to be one to reckon with, wowing audiences across the world with her music.
This great honor also includes Ayo Edebiri, an actress who has been in the limelight because of five nominations in the NAACP Awards, including “Outstanding Voiceover” and “Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series.”
This reflects a broader phenomenon: African talents increasingly making their mark in film and television.
The singer from South Africa, Tyla, also made it big with her nomination for “Outstanding New Artist”, an exhibition of the diverse range of talent bursting from the continent.
This places Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tems, Ayo Edebiri, and Tyla in categories at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards for the full tapestry of African artistry and its growing, telling influence on the world stage.