It’s Time! Grammy season is upon us. We're forecasting the top contenders for some of the 2025 awards’ global music categories: Best African Music Performance, Best Global Music Album, and Best Global Music Performance. Shall we?

Best Global Music Album.

Unlike many of the other categories at this year's ceremony, the nods for Best Global Music Album are by no means a lock. Tyla's self-titled debut album would have been the clear frontrunner but its competing in “Pop Vocal”. Expect Arooj Aftab to join the race, as her fourth album, ‘Night Reign,’ was released this year to rave reviews. Tems’ ‘Born In The Wild’ received a similar response from international media, although the Recording Academy may classify it as more R&B than “Global.” Ayra Starr's triumphant sophomore could also sneak in a nod here. With Asake and Rema also having released albums this year, we could see a fantastic showing for African artistes with at least 4 nods. We know it's unlikely but we live in hope. Here are our final predictions.

1. ‘Night Reign’ – Arooj Aftab 

2. ‘Born In The Wild’ – Tems

3. ‘⁠Lungu Boy’ – Asake

4. ‘⁠The Year I turned 21’ – Ayra Starr

5. ‘⁠Soothe My Soul, Songs from our South African Church’ – Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Best Global Music Performance 

Angelique Kidjo has two songs in this race: her collaboration with the Soweto Gospel Choir, “Sunlight To My Gospel”, and another with Portuguese legend Lura, “Cetam.” Grammy Darlings, Jacob Collier, and Anoushka Shankar are set to secure another nomination with “A Rock Somewhere” off Collier's “DJESSE 4”. Arooj Aftab could also get a nod with “Raat Ki Rani”. Tyla's hit “Jump” could also be a big player here. Ayra Starr's collaboration with AP Dhillon, “Bora Bora” could also make an appearance. Here are our final picks;

1. “Sunlight To My Soul” – Angelique Kidjo ft Soweto Gospel Choir

2. “⁠A Rock Somewhere” – Jacob Collier, Anoushka Shankar, Varijashree Venugopal

3. “⁠Raat Ki Rani” – Arooj Aftab

4. “Jump” – Tyla, Gunna, Skillibeng

5. “⁠Bora Bora” – AP Dhillon, Ayra Starr

Best African Music Performance 

We’re going to call it now. We think Tems’ “Love Me Jeje” is a lock in this category, maybe even the frontrunner. Davido has a strong chance of securing double nominations here with Angelique Kidjo's “Joy” and Chris Brown’s “Sensational”. Ayra Starr and Asake could squeak in with hit singles “Commas” and “MMS”(with Wizkid). Tyla could also be a player here with “No 1” ft Tems though it would be one of her weakest submissions.

Here's how we think it's going to play out;

1. “Commas” – Ayra Starr

2. “⁠Love Me Jeje” – Tems

3. “⁠Joy” – Angelique Kidjo ft Davido

4. “⁠MMS” – Asake & Wizkid

5. “⁠Sensational” – Chris Brown ft Davido, Lojay