The Grammy Awards have recognised musical excellence since 1959, celebrating artists across genres and generations.
While many musicians have won the coveted trophy, several globally popular names, despite repeated nominations and strong cultural influence, have never taken one home.
Here are 12 well-known foreign and Nigerian artistes who have been nominated for Grammy Awards but are yet to secure a win.
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj has received 12 Grammy nominations across different categories. She lost Best New Artist to Bon Iver and later missed out in other categories to Kendrick Lamar, Killer Mike and Billie Eilish.
Davido
Davido has earned multiple Grammy nominations, including a 2026 nod for Best African Music Performance. Despite his global success and consistent recognition, he is yet to win the award.
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Wizkid
Wizkid has received several Grammy nominations for his solo work, including projects tied to Made in Lagos and Essence. While he has been associated with a Grammy-winning project as a featured artist, he has not won one as a lead act.
Sia
Australian singer Sia has earned nine Grammy nominations since 2012. Her most recent loss was to Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry has been nominated 13 times over the years, with major nods for hits that dominated global charts, but she is yet to win a Grammy.
Tupac Shakur
The late rapper earned six Grammy nominations during and after his lifetime. He lost in categories dominated by artists such as Coolio, Naughty by Nature and Eminem.
Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti has been nominated four times in Grammy categories tied to world music and global sounds, but none of the nominations resulted in a win.
Diana Ross
Diana Ross was nominated repeatedly between the 1960s and early 1980s without a competitive win. She later received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Tems
Tems has received Grammy nominations for both collaborative and international projects. While she has been part of Grammy-winning work, she has not yet secured a solo Grammy award.
Seun Kuti
Seun Kuti earned a Grammy nomination for Black Times in the Best World Music Album category. He remains without a Grammy win.