Nicki Minaj Criticizes Grammys, Says Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ Was Unfairly Overlooked

American rap icon Nicki Minaj has voiced her support for Wizkid, saying his global hit “Essence” deserved to win at the Grammy Awards.

In her statement, Nicki Minaj expressed frustration with what she described as the Grammys’ lack of fairness toward African artists and global music creators. She suggested that the industry should consider establishing an independent award platform that truly recognizes international talent.

In her words, “I feel we should create our own Grammy because ‘Essence’ by Wizkid should have won Best Global Music Performance and Best Global Music Album.”

The Grammy-winning track, featuring Tems, received international acclaim and charted globally, solidifying Wizkid’s place as one of Africa’s biggest musical exports.

Nicki Minaj’s remarks have reignited the long-running debate about representation and inclusivity at the Grammys, with many calling for more recognition of African and non-Western music on global stages.