If you’ve ever noticed that your favorite Nigerian and international artists seem to release new tracks almost every Friday, you’re not alone. This pattern isn’t a coincidence it’s a global industry strategy. Welcome to the world of Music Friday, the unofficial launchpad for new music drops.
But why Friday? Why not Monday or even the weekend like Saturday?
Let’s break down the real reasons behind this popular music release trend and why Friday has become the industry’s favorite day to drop heat.
The Global Standardization of Release Days
In July 2015, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) announced a global shift in music release schedules. From that point forward, Friday became the official global release day for new music in over 45 countries.
Before this move, countries had their own music release days—Tuesdays in the U.S., Mondays in the U.K., and Fridays in Australia. This lack of coordination led to staggered releases, early leaks, and piracy.
A global Friday release day helped: – Combat piracy – Synchronize promotion efforts worldwide – Make tracking easier for streaming platforms and charts
It Maximizes Chart Performance
Most official music charts like Billboard, Apple Music Top 100, Spotify Nigeria, Boomplay Charts, and more—track activity from Friday through Thursday.
Dropping a song on a Friday gives artists and labels: – 7 full days to accumulate streams, sales, and radio plays – A better shot at debuting high on the charts – More time for a song to go viral and gain traction before the next chart cycle
Releasing music midweek shortens this window—and could cost valuable charting points.
People Listen More on Weekends
There’s a reason why parties, club nights, weddings, and road trips spike from Friday to Sunday the weekend is when most people actually have time to vibe.
This consumer behaviour benefits artists because: – Streaming increases on Fridays and weekends – Fans are more likely to discover and share new music when they’re not working – DJs, event planners, and radio hosts look for fresh songs for weekend sets
Dropping music on Friday means it has a better chance of becoming “that new jam” everyone’s playing by Saturday night.
Playlist Power: Catching the Friday Update Wave
Major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, Boomplay, and YouTube Music refresh their top playlists every Friday. These playlists include: – New Music Friday – Fresh Naija – Africa Now – Afrobeats Hits – Hot Rotations
Artists who drop music on Fridays are more likely to be considered for playlist features, which can dramatically boost visibility and streaming numbers.
Marketing Works Better on Fridays
Labels and independent artists alike align their PR campaigns, interviews, press releases, and social media teasers to peak on Fridays.
A Friday release allows an artist to: – Drop the music – Post behind-the-scenes content over the weekend – Build momentum with media and fans into the following week
From TikTok challenges to lyric breakdowns and music video teasers, the Friday launch creates a marketing rhythm that’s hard to beat.
In Nigeria: A Growing Tradition
In Nigeria, Music Friday is becoming a cultural habit: – Afrobeats stars like Rema, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, and Davido consistently schedule Friday drops – Fans anticipate new releases every Friday—making the day a mini music holiday online – Blogs, DJs, and music platforms curate Friday playlists, amplifying each new release’s reach
Music Friday is not just a trend; it’s a well-oiled global strategy. Releasing on Fridays means more eyes, more ears, better streaming numbers, and a solid shot at chart success. For artists, especially in the ever-competitive Nigerian music scene, timing can make all the difference—and Friday is the magic day.
Wizkid turns a year older today, and while social media is flooded with tributes and throwbacks, we’re taking a different route. It’s time to rank every Wizkid album;the highs, the lows, and the game-changing moments that have defined his journey from Ojuelegba to the O2.
This isn’t just fan love. It’s a critical deep dive, praising what deserves praise, and calling out what could’ve been better. Because even legends have missteps, and that’s okay.
Note before you Proceed!
This list is based on: – Artistic quality – Cohesion and originality – Cultural impact – Replay value – Growth and boldness
6. Sounds from the Other Side (2017)
Highlight Tracks: “Come Closer” ft. Drake, “Daddy Yo,” “African Bad Gyal”
Wizkid’s “Sounds from the Other Side” was his first major leap into the international market. It had ambition, dancehall, Caribbean-infused pop, and big-name collabs like Drake, Major Lazer, Chris Brown. But the album lacked soul. Yes, it gave him global visibility. But it felt like Wizkid trying to fit into Western radio instead of bending them to his rhythm.
My thought: A strategic move but not a masterpiece. The most forgettable album in his discography.
The follow-up to Made in Lagos was always going to be tough. But “More Love, Less Ego” felt like a beautiful shell with no core. The production was elite, clean, vibe-heavy. But the writing lacked what Wizkid was more about compared to other Albums released by the music Icon. It’s Wizkid at his smoothest, but also his most emotionally distant. The album didn’t push boundaries, nor did it feel like he had much to say. In many ways, it was a continuation of Made in Lagos, just less hungry.
My thought: Sonically pleasing, but too safe. For an artist of his calibre, we wanted more.
4. Ayo (2014)
Highlight Tracks: “Ojuelegba,” “Show You the Money,” “Jaiye Jaiye,” “In My Bed”
Ayo was a comeback and a stamp. Coming after Superstar, this project showed a Wizkid with more control, more polish, and bigger ambition. It had the hits, the hooks, the spiritual storytelling of “Ojuelegba.”
But it was also a bloated album, with too many tracks (19) and some clear fillers. A lot of it felt like a compilation of singles, not a cohesive project.
My thought: Imperfect but pivotal. An album that balanced fame and faith.
3. Superstar (2011)
Highlight Tracks: “Holla at Your Boy,” “Tease Me,” “Don’t Dull,” “Love My Baby”
This is where it all began — Wizkid’s breakout. He was young, hungry, cocky, and vibrating with potential. Superstar wasn’t just an album, it was an era that even the superstar we have today will never forget.
It changed Nigerian pop forever. The swagger. The slang. The sound. From “Pakurumo” to “Oluwa Lo Ni,” this was the soundtrack of a generation.
But let’s be honest; even as good as the album it isn’t his best project. The album hasn’t aged perfectly. Some tracks feel dated, and there’s a juvenile tone that’s natural for a debut.
My thought: A cultural classic. Not his best technically, but you can’t overstate its importance.
This is the album that redefined Wizkid for the world. Made in Lagos was sleek, patient, grown. It wasn’t chasing the charts — it was building a mood. And it worked. Globally. Essence became the first truly global Afrobeats love song, and the album showed a matured artist comfortable in his skin. Still, the album gets criticism for being too chill, not enough tempo variation, little experimentation. But that’s the point. Made in Lagos wasn’t made for the club. It was made for late nights and great moments.
My thought: A timeless piece of mood music. The moment the world took Afrobeats seriously and Wizkid led the charge.
After years of smooth, laid-back vibes, Wizkid finally returns with clarity, heart, and hunger on Morayo; a title that feels personal, almost spiritual.
The project is named after Wizkid’s late mother, Jane Morayo Balogun, who passed away in 2023. Her death left an open wound in the heart of an artist who, until then, had rarely spoken so openly about grief, loss or legacy in his music.
This album is Wizkid at his most honest and intentional since Ojuelegba first release. “Morayo” (the title track) is a reflective, emotionally stirring opener that sets the tone. He’s not just singing; he’s telling stories. About love, Lagos, loss, legacy. There’s an intimacy to the lyrics we haven’t heard from him in years. Sonically, Morayo balances mellow Afrobeats with bolder experiments — it’s smoother than Superstar, deeper than More Love, Less Ego, and less commercially calculated than Sounds from the Other Side.
My thought: Morayo is Wizkid’s most complete and cohesive album. It merges growth with grit, melody with message. After all these years, he still finds new ways to surprise us.
Final Thoughts:
Wizkid has evolved in real-time, from a young Nigerian singer to a global legend. His discography shows the growth, the experiments, the setbacks, and the wins. Whether you miss the energy of Don’t Dull or prefer the silkiness of Essence, one thing is clear: Wizkid is not done yet.
Happy Birthday to the Biggest Bird!
What do you think about this list? Drop your rankings in the comments if you think otherwise.
If we are being honest, after Seven hit studio album, Burna Boy doesn’t really have anything left to prove. He’s sold-out stadiums, won Grammys, and put Afrofusion on the global map. But with No Sign of Weakness, he’s still pushing boundaries, experimenting with new sounds, and reminding us that he’s not just in the game, he is who he says he is.
Released on July 11, 2025, this album isn’t just another victory lap. It feels like a personal mission — a fearless, genre-hopping ride where Burna gets to show off all sides of who he is: the African Giant, the rock star, and the man behind the fame.
THE ALBUM: NO SIGN OF WEAKNESS
A 16 track album that run for approximately 47 minutes on play, the title says it all: No Sign of Weakness. Burna Boy uses this album to talk about survival, success, betrayal, legacy, and staying true to himself in a world that constantly wants him to fit a mold and an industry where nothing comes easy with beefs in the industry and everyday talk from the media.
He doesn’t just talk his talk, he backs it up with beats that range from Afrobeat and reggae to trap, rock, country, and everything in between. Somehow, it all works. This isn’t a scattered playlist; it’s a carefully curated soundscape that takes you through Burna’s headspace.
Collaborations
Empty Chairs feat. Mick Jagger – This can be said to be an unexpected one, but. It’s soulful, gritty, and has a rebellious edge.
TaTaTa feat. Travis Scott – A hard-hitting Afro-trap jam that blends both artists’ strengths.
Change Your Mind feat. Shaboozey – Burna tries a country vibe and it surprisingly with no doubt came out fine tune.
Pardon feat. Stromae – A soulful, emotional collab that sticks with you.
Album track list
A Global Sound With African Roots
Burna Boy is unapologetically African, but he’s also speaking to the world. From the pidgin lyrics to the rhythms inspired by Fela Kuti, the album stays rooted in Nigeria.
Still, he’s blending Afrobeat with rock, country, and trap in new and exciting ways.
How’s It Doing So Far?
#1 on Apple Music Nigeria
Charting on Billboard’s Afrobeats chart
Praised by The Times, AP, Clash and more
More than just numbers, fans are loving the honesty and creativity.
Rating: 8.5/10
No Sign of Weakness isn’t Burna’s flashiest album, but it might be his most daring. It’s mature, bold, and confident. It shows growth, vulnerability, and range.
It might take a few listens to fully hit you, but when it does, it sticks.
It’s Industry’s biggest night! The 2025 Grammys is now in our footsteps and we couldn’t be more proud. The 67th Academy Awards is currently held at the Crypto.comArena, Los Angeles.
The host tonight is South African comedian, Trevor Noah for the consecutive fifth time. Beyoncé (who leads with 11 nods), Charli xcx, Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, ChappellRoan and Shaboozey lead the nomination nods.
Beyoncé at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 2025. Kevin Winter/Getty
Some of Nigeria’s biggest stars, including Tems, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and Asake, will represent the country on the global stage, here’s the full nominees:
Record of the Year The Beatles – Now and Then Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe! Charli XCX – 360 Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight
Album of the Year André 3000 – New Blue Sun Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter – WINNER Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess Charli XCX – Brat Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 4 Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department
Song of the Year Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe! Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy) Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight
Best New Artist Benson Boone Doechii Chappell Roan – WINNER Khruangbin Raye Sabrina Carpenter Shaboozey Teddy Swims
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Alissia Daniel Nigro – WINNER Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II Ian Fitchuk Mustard
Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical Amy Allen – WINNER Edgar Barrera Jessi Alexander Jessie Jo Dillon Raye
Best Pop Solo Performance Beyoncé – Bodyguard Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe! Charli XCX – Apple Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso – WINNER
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Ariana Grande, Brandy & Monica – The Boy Is Mine – Remix Beyoncé Featuring Post Malone – Levii’s Jeans Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish Gracie Abrams Featuring Taylor Swift – Us. Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile – WINNER
Best Pop Vocal Album Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet – WINNER Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department
Best Dance/Electronic Recording Disclosure – She’s Gone, Dance On Four Tet – Loved Fred Again.. & Baby Keem – Leavemealone Justice & Tame Impala – Neverender – WINNER Kaytranada Featuring Childish Gambino – Witchy
Best Dance Pop Recording Ariana Grande – Yes, And? Billie Eilish – L’Amour de Ma Vie [Over Now Extended Edit] Charli XCX – Von Dutch – WINNER Madison Beer – Make You Mine Troye Sivan – Got Me Started
Best Dance/Electronic Music Album Charli XCX – Brat – WINNER Four Tet – Three Justice – Hyperdrama Kaytranada – Timeless Zedd – Telos
Best Remixed Recording Charli XCX – Von Dutch A. G. Cook Remix Featuring Addison Rae Doechii & Kaytranada Featuring JT – Alter Ego (Kaytranada Remix) Julian Marley & Antaeus – Jah Sees Them (Amapiano Remix) Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso (Mark Ronson x FNZ Working Late Remix) – WINNER Shaboozey & David Guetta – A Bar Song (Tipsy) (Remix)
Best Rock Performance The Beatles – Now and Then – WINNER The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High) Green Day – The American Dream Is Killing Me Idles – Gift Horse Pearl Jam – Dark Matter St. Vincent – Broken Man
Best Metal Performance Gojira, Marina Viotti & Victor le Masne – Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!) – WINNER Judas Priest – Crown of Horns Knocked Loose Featuring Poppy – Suffocate Metallica – Screaming Suicide Spiritbox – Cellar Door
Best Rock Song The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High) Green Day – Dilemma Idles – Gift Horse Pearl Jam – Dark Matter St. Vincent – Broken Man – WINNER
Best Rock Album The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards Fontaines D.C. – Romance Green Day – Saviors Idles – Tangk Jack White – No Name Pearl Jam – Dark Matter The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds – WINNER
Best Alternative Music Performance Cage the Elephant – Neon Pill Fontaines D.C. – Starburster Kim Gordon – Bye Bye Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Song of the Lake St. Vincent – Flea – WINNER
Best Alternative Music Album Brittany Howard – What Now Clairo – Charm Kim Gordon – The Collective Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Wild God St. Vincent – All Born Screaming – WINNER
Best R&B Performance Chris Brown – Residuals Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh) Jhené Aiko – Guidance Muni Long – Made for Me (Live on BET) – WINNER SZA – Saturn
Best Traditional R&B Performance Kenyon Dixon – Can I Have This Groove Lalah Hathaway Featuring Michael McDonald – No Lie Lucky Daye – That’s You – WINNER Marsha Ambrosius – Wet Muni Long – Make Me Forget
Best R&B Song Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh) Kehlani – After Hours Muni Long – Ruined Me SZA – Saturn – WINNER Tems – Burning
Best Progressive R&B Album Avery Sunshine – So Glad to Know You – WINNER[TIE] Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World Durand Bernarr – En Route Kehlani – Crash NxWorries – Why Lawd? – WINNER [TIE]
Best R&B Album Chris Brown – 11:11 (Deluxe) – WINNER Lalah Hathaway – Vantablack Lucky Daye – Algorithm Muni Long – Revenge Usher – Coming Home
Best Rap Performance Cardi B – Enough (Miami) Common & Pete Rock Featuring Posdnuos – When the Sun Shines Again Doechii – Nissan Altima Eminem – Houdini Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That Glorilla – Yeah Glo! Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER
Best Melodic Rap Performance Beyoncé, Linda Martell & Shaboozey – Spaghettii Future, Metro Boomin & The Weeknd – We Still Don’t Trust You Jordan Adetunji Featuring Kehlani – Kehlani (Remix) Latto – Big Mama Rapsody Featuring Erykah Badu – 3:AM – WINNER
Best Rap Song Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That Glorilla – Yeah Glo! Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER Rapsody & Hit-Boy – Asteroids ¥$, Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign & Rich the Kid Featuring Playboi Carti – Carnival
Best Rap Album Common & Pete Rock – The Auditorium Vol. 1 Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal – WINNER Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You J. Cole – Might Delete Later
Best Spoken Word Poetry Album Malik Yusef – Good M.U.S.I.C. Universe Sonic Sinema Episode 1: In the Beginning Was the Word Omari Hardwick – Concrete & Whiskey Act II Part 1: A Bourbon 30 Series Queen Sheba – Civil Writes: The South Got Something to Say Skillz – The Seven Number Ones Tank and the Bangas – The Heart, the Mind, the Soul – WINNER
Best Jazz Performance The Baylor Project – Walk With Me, Lord (Sound | Spirit) Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Juno Dan Pugach & Nicole Zuraitis Featuring Troy Roberts – Little Fears Lakecia Benjamin Featuring Randy Brecker, Jeff “Tain” Watts & John Scofield – Phoenix Reimagined (Live) Samara Joy Featuring Sullivan Fortner – Twinkle Twinkle Little Me – WINNER
Best Jazz Vocal Album Catherine Russell & Sean Mason – My Ideal Christie Dashiell – Journey in Black Kurt Elling & Sullivan Fortner – Wildflowers Vol. 1 Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding – Milton + Esperanza Samara Joy – A Joyful Holiday – WINNER
Best Jazz Instrumental Album Ambrose Akinmusire – Owl Song Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Remembrance – WINNER Kenny Barron – Beyond This Place Lakecia Benjamin – Phoenix Reimagined (Live) Sullivan Fortner – Solo Game
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra – And So It Goes Dan Pugach – Bianca Reimagined – WINNER John Beasley Featuring Frankfurt Radio Big Band – Returning to Forever Miguel Zenón – Golden City Orrin Evans & The Captain Black Big Band – Walk a Mile in My Shoe
Best Latin Jazz Album Donald Vega Featuring Lewis Nash, John Patitucci & Luisito Quintero- As I Travel Eliane Elias – Time and Again Hamilton de Holanda & Gonzalo Rubalcaba – Collab Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez, John Beasley & Jose Gola – El Trio: Live in Italy Michel Camilo & Tomatito – Spain Forever Again Zaccai Curtis – Cubop Lives! – WINNER
Best Alternative Jazz Album Arooj Aftab – Night Reign André 3000 – New Blue Sun Keyon Harrold – Foreverland Meshell Ndegeocello – No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin – WINNER Robert Glasper – Code Derivation
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Aaron Lazar – Impossible Dream Cyrille Aimée – À Fleur de Peau Gregory Porter – Christmas Wish Lake Street Dive – Good Together Norah Jones – Visions – WINNER
Best Contemporary Instrumental Album Béla Fleck – Rhapsody in Blue Bill Frisell – Orchestras (Live) Julian Lage – Speak to Me Mark Guiliana – Mark Taylor Eigsti – Plot Armor – WINNER
Best Musical Theater Album Hell’s Kitchen – WINNER Merrily We Roll Along The Notebook The Outsiders Suffs The Wiz
Best Country Solo Performance Beyoncé – 16 Carriages Chris Stapleton – It Takes a Woman – WINNER Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay Kacey Musgraves – The Architect Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Best Country Duo/Group Performance Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus – II Most Wanted – WINNER Brothers Osborne – Break Mine Dan + Shay – Bigger Houses Kelsea Ballerini & Noah Kahan – Cowboys Cry Too Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Best Country Song Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay Kacey Musgraves – The Architect – WINNER Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Best Country Album Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter – WINNER Chris Stapleton – Higher Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well Lainey Wilson – Whirlwind Post Malone – F-1 Trillion
Best American Roots Performance The Fabulous Thunderbirds Featuring Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal & Mick Fleetwood – Nothing in Rambling Rhiannon Giddens – The Ballad of Sally Anne Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve Sierra Ferrell – Lighthouse – WINNER
Best Americana Performance Beyoncé – Ya Ya Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Empty Trainload of Sky Madi Diaz & Kacey Musgraves – Don’t Do Me Good Madison Cunningham – Subtitles Sarah Jarosz – Runaway Train Sierra Ferrell – American Dreaming – WINNER
Best American Roots Song Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends Iron & Wine & Fiona Apple – All in Good Time Mark Knopfler – Ahead of the Game Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve Sierra Ferrell – American Dreaming – WINNER
Best Americana Album Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy Maggie Rose – No One Gets Out Alive Sarah Jarosz – Polaroid Lovers Sierra Ferrell – Trail of Flowers – WINNER T Bone Burnett – The Other Side Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood
Best Bluegrass Album Billy Strings – Live Vol. 1 – WINNER Bronwyn Keith-Hynes – I Built a World Dan Tyminski – Dan Tyminski: Live From the Ryman The Del McCoury Band – Songs of Love and Life Sister Sadie – No Fear Tony Trischka – Earl Jam
Best Traditional Blues Album Cedric Burnside – Hill Country Love The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Struck Down Little Feat – Sam’s Place Sue Foley – One Guitar Woman Taj Mahal – Swingin’: Live at the Church in Tulsa – WINNER
Best Contemporary Blues Album Antonio Vergara – The Fury Joe Bonamassa – Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 Ruthie Foster – Mileage – WINNER Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour – Friendlytown
Best Folk Album Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future American Patchwork Quartet – American Patchwork Quartet Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland – WINNER Madi Diaz – Weird Faith
Best Regional Roots Music Album Big Chief Monk Featuring J’wan Boudreaux – Live at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Kalani Pe’a – Kuini – WINNER New Breed Brass Band Featuring Trombone Shorty – Live at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival The Rumble – Stories From the Battlefield Sean Ardoin & Kreole Rock and Soul – 25 Back to My Roots
Best Gospel Performance/Song Doe – Holy Hands Melvin Crispell III – Yesterday Ricky Dillard – Hold On (Live) Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Erica Campbell & Israel Houghton Featuring Jonathan McReynolds & Jekalyn Carr – One Hallelujah – WINNER Yolanda Adams – Church Doors
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson Featuring CeCe Winans – Holy Forever (Live) CeCe Winans – That’s My King – WINNER Elevation Worship Featuring Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore – Praise Honor & Glory & Disciple – Firm Foundation (He Won’t) Jwlkrs Worship & Maverick City Music Featuring Chandler Moore – In the Name of Jesus Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore Featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard – In the Room
Best Gospel Album CeCe Winans – More Than This – WINNER Karen Clark Sheard – Still Karen Kirk Franklin – Father’s Day Melvin Crispell III – Covered Vol. 1 Ricky Dillard – Choirmaster II (Live)
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Brandon Lake – Coat of Many Colors Doe – Heart of a Human – WINNER Elevation Worship – When Wind Meets Fire Forrest Frank – Child of God Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine – The Maverick Way Complete
Best Roots Gospel Album Authentic Unlimited – The Gospel Sessions, Vol. 2 Cory Henry – Church – WINNER The Harlem Gospel Travelers – Rhapsody Mark D. Conklin – The Gospel According to Mark The Nelons – Loving You
Best Latin Pop Album Anitta – Funk Generation Kali Uchis – Orquídeas Kany García – García Luis Fonsi – El Viaje Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran – WINNER
Best Música Urbana Album Bad Bunny – Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana Feid – Ferxxocalipsis J Balvin – Rayo Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan – WINNER Young Miko – Att.
Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album Cimafunk – Pa’ Tu Cuerpa El David Aguilar – Compita del Destino Mon Laferte – Autopoiética Nathy Peluso – Grasa Rawayana – ¿Quién Trae las Cornetas? – WINNER
Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano) Carín León – Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 – WINNER Chiquis – Diamantes Jessi Uribe – De Lejitos Peso Pluma – Éxodo
Best Tropical Latin Album Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 – Radio Güira Kiki Valera – Vacilón Santiaguero Marc Anthony – Muevense Sheila E. – Bailar Tony Succar & Mimy Succar – Alma, Corazón y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional) – WINNER
Best Global Music Performance Angélique Kidjo & Soweto Gospel Choir – Sunlight to My Soul Arooj Aftab – Raat Ki Rani Jacob Collier Featuring Anoushka Shankar & Varijashree Venugopal – A Rock Somewhere Masa Takumi Featuring Ron Korb, Noshir Mody & Dale Edward Chung – Kashira Rocky Dawuni – Rise Sheila E. Featuring Gloria Estefan & Mimy Succar – Bemba Colorá – WINNER
Best African Music Performance Asake & Wizkid – MMS Burna Boy – Higher Chris Brown Featuring Davido & Lojay – Sensational Tems – Love Me JeJe – WINNER Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Best Global Music Album Antonio Rey – Historias de un Flamenco Ciro Hurtado – Paisajes Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Alkebulan II – WINNER Rema – Heis Tems – Born in the Wild
Best Reggae Album Collie Buddz – Take It Easy Shenseea – Never Gets Late Here Various Artists – Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By the Film (Deluxe) – WINNER Vybz Kartel – Party With Me The Wailers – Evolution
Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album Anoushka Shankar – Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn Chris Redding – Visions of Sounds De Luxe Radhika Vekaria – Warriors of Light Ricky Kej – Break of Dawn Ryuichi Sakamoto – Opus Wouter Kellerman, Éru Matsumoto & Chandrika Tandon – Triveni – WINNER
Best Children’s Music Album Divinity Roxx & Divi Roxx Kids – World Wide Playdate John Legend – My Favorite Dream Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band – ¡Brillo, Brillo! – WINNER Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats – Creciendo Rock for Children – Solid Rock Revival
Best Comedy Album Dave Chappelle – The Dreamer – WINNER Jim Gaffigan – The Prisoner Nikki Glaser – Someday You’ll Die Ricky Gervais – Armageddon Trevor Noah – Where Was I
Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording Barbra Streisand – My Name Is Barbra Dolly Parton – Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones George Clinton – …And Your Ass Will Follow Jimmy Carter – Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration – WINNER Various Artists – All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media London Symphony Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin & Bradley Cooper – Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein – WINNER Various Artists – The Color Purple Various Artists – Deadpool & Wolverine Various Artists – Saltburn Various Artists – Twisters: The Album
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television) Kris Bowers – The Color Purple Hans Zimmer – Dune: Part Two – WINNER Laura Karpman – American Fiction Nick Chuba, Atticus Ross & Leopold Ross – Shōgun Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – Challengers
Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media Bear McCreary – God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla John Paesano – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Pinar Toprak – Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Wilbert Roget II – Star Wars Outlaws Winifred Phillips – Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord – WINNER
Best Song Written for Visual Media Barbra Streisand – Love Will Survive (From The Tattooist of Auschwitz) Jon Batiste – It Never Went Away (From the Netflix Documentary “American Symphony”) – WINNER Luke Combs – Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma (From Twisters: The Album) *NSync & Justin Timberlake – Better Place (From Trolls Band Together) Olivia Rodrigo – Can’t Catch Me Now (From The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)
Best Music Video A$AP Rocky – Tailor Swif Charli XCX – 360 Eminem – Houdini Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight
Best Music Film Jon Batiste – American Symphony – WINNER June Carter Cash – June Run-DMC – Kings From Queens Steven Van Zandt – Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple Various Artists – The Greatest Night in Pop
Best Recording Package The Avett Brothers – The Avett Brothers Charli XCX – Brat – WINNER iWhoiWhoo – Pregnancy, Breakdown, and Disease Kate Bush – Hounds of Love (Baskerville Edition) The Muddy Basin Ramblers – Jug Band Millionaire Post Malone – F-1 Trillion William Clark Green – Baker Hotel
Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package Alpha Wolf – Half Living Things John Lennon – Mind Games – WINNER Kate Bush – Hounds of Love (The Boxes of Lost at Sea) Nirvana – In Utero Unsuk Chin & Berliner Philharmoniker – Unsuk Chin 90 Day Men – We Blame Chicago
Best Album Notes Alice Coltrane – The Carnegie Hall Concert (Live) Ford Dabney’s Syncopated Orchestras – After Midnight John Culshaw – John Culshaw – The Art of the Producer – The Early Years 1948-55 King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band & Various Artists – Centennial – WINNER Various Artists – SONtrack Original de la Película “Al Son de Beno”
Best Historical Album King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band & Various Artists – Centennial – WINNER Paul Robeson – Paul Robeson – Voice of Freedom: His Complete Columbia, RCA, HMV, and Victor Recordings Pepe de Lucía & Paco de Lucía – Pepito y Paquito Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition) Rodgers & Hammerstein & Julie Andrews – The Sound of Music (Original Soundtrack Recording) (Super Deluxe Edition)
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical Charlotte Day Wilson – Cyan Blue Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well Lucky Daye – Algorithm Peter Gabriel – I/O – WINNER Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet Willow – Empathogen
Best Engineered Album, Classical Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina Los Angeles Philharmonic, John Adams & Los Angeles Master Chorale – John Adams: Girls of the Golden West Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & Manfred Honeck – Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 – Bates: Resurrexit (Live) – WINNER Skylark Vocal Ensemble & Matthew Guard – Clear Voices in the Dark Timo Andres, Andrew Cyr & Metropolis Ensemble – Timo Andres: The Blind Banister
Producer of the Year, Classical Christoph Franke Dirk Sobotka Dmitriy Lipay Elaine Martone – WINNER Erica Brenner Morten Lindberg
Best Immersive Audio Album Ensemble 96, Current Saxophone Quartet & Nina T. Karlsen – Pax Peter Gabriel – I/O (In-Side Mix) – WINNER Ray Charles & Various Artists – Genius Loves Company Roxy Music – Avalon Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Nick Davies – Henning Sommerro: Borders
Best Instrumental Composition Akropolis Reed Quintet, Pascal Le Boeuf & Christian Euman – Strands – WINNER André 3000 – I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Remembrance Christopher Zuar Orchestra – Communion Shelly Berg – At Last
Jaden Smith and Willow Smith at The 67th Annual Grammy Awards Sunday.Francis Specker / CBS
Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella Béla Fleck – Rhapsody in Blue(Grass) Henry Mancini & Snarky Puppy – Baby Elephant Walk (Encore) Jacob Collier Featuring John Legend & Tori Kelly – Bridge Over Troubled Water – WINNER Säje – Silent Night Scott Hoying Featuring Säje & Tonality – Rose Without the Thorns
Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals Cody Fry Featuring Sleeping at Last – The Sound of Silence John Legend – Always Come Back Säje Featuring Regina Carter – Alma – WINNER Willow – Big Feelings The 8-Bit Big Band Featuring Jonah Nilsson & Button Masher – Last Surprise (From “Persona 5”)
Best Orchestral Performance Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & JoAnn Falletta – Kodály: Háry János Suite, Nyári este & Symphony in C Major Esa-Pekka Salonen & San Francisco Symphony – Stravinsky: The Firebird Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina – WINNER ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & Marin Alsop – John Adams: City Noir, Fearful Symmetries & Lola Montez Does the Spider Dance Susanna Mälkki & Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra – Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Rakastava & Lemminkäinen
Best Opera Recording Los Angeles Philharmonic, John Adams & Los Angeles Master Chorale – John Adams: Girls of the Golden West Lyric Opera of Kansas City & Gerard Schwarz – Moravec: The Shining The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & The Metropolitan Opera Chorus – Catán: Florencia en el Amazonas The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & The Metropolitan Opera Chorus – Puts: The Hours San Francisco Symphony Chorus & San Francisco Symphony – Saariaho: Adriana Mater – WINNER
Best Choral Performance Apollo’s Fire & Jeannette Sorrell – Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54 The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Artefact Ensemble & Novus NY – Sheehan: Akathist The Crossing, Donald Nally & Dan Schwartz – Ochre – WINNER Skylark Vocal Ensemble & Matthew Guard – Clear Voices in the Dark True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Jeffrey Biegel & Eric Holtan – A Dream So Bright: Choral Music of Jake Runestad
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance Caroline Shaw & Sō Percussion – Rectangles and Circumstance – WINNER JACK Quartet – John Luther Adams: Waves & Particles Lorelei Ensemble & Christopher Cerrone – Christopher Cerrone: Beaufort Scales Miró Quartet – Home Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos & Emanuel Ax – Beethoven for Three: Symphony No. 4 and Op. 97 “Archduke”
Best Classical Instrumental Solo Andy Akiho – Akiho: Longing Curtis J Stewart, James Blachly & Experiential Orchestra – Perry: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Mak Grgić & Ensemble Dissonance – Entourer Seth Parker Woods – Eastman The Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc Víkingur Ólafsson – J. S. Bach: Goldberg Variations – WINNER
Best Classical Solo Vocal Album Fotina Naumenko – Bespoke Songs Joyce DiDonato, Il Pomo d’Oro & Maxim Emelyanychev – Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder Karen Slack & Michelle Cann – Beyond the Years – WINNER Nicholas Phan, Farayi Malek & Palaver Strings – A Change Is Gonna Come Will Liverman & Jonathan King – Show Me the Way
Best Classical Compendium Amy Porter, Nikki Chooi, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & JoAnn Falletta – Lukas Foss: Symphony No. 1 & Renaissance Concerto Andy Akiho & Imani Winds – BeLonging Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Michael Shapiro – Mythologies II Experiential Orchestra, James Blachly & Curtis J Stewart – American Counterpoints Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina – WINNER
Best Contemporary Classical Composition Andrea Casarrubios – Casarrubios: Seven for Solo Cello Decoda – Coleman: Revelry Esa-Pekka Salonen, Fleur Barron, Nicholas Phan, Christopher Purves, Axelle Fanyo & San Francisco Symphony Chorus & Orchestra – Saariaho: Adriana Mater Eighth Blackbird – Lang: Composition as Explanation Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Master Chorale – Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina – WINNER
