Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has debunked rumors on social media that Tems is the first Nigerian female to win a Grammy.
At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night, Tems, a Nigerian singer, won the award for “Best Melodic Rap Performance” after being nominated for both “Best Rap Song” and “Best Melodic Rap Performance.”
Many people have praised Tems for her victory and claim that she is the first Nigerian singer to win a Grammy.
Tems’ alleged status as the first Nigerian, according to Reno Omokri, has been refuted by the fact that Sade Adu, a Nigerian-born British musician, has never claimed to be from Nigeria.
Reno claims that it would be unfair to credit Tems for Sade’s 40 years of work promoting Nigeria.
He wrote: Sade Adu has always identified with Nigeria. When interviewed, she stressed her Nigerianness. She did not funkify her name to make it sound European.
In interview after interview, she asserted the fact that she is a Nigerian born in Ibadan. So, let us appreciate her. She is the first Nigerian female to win a Grammy in 1986. In honouring another female who eminently deserves to be honoured, let us not dishonour Sade Adu.
By saying someone else is the first Nigerian female to win a Grammy, what we are telling Ms. Adu is that she is not a Nigerian. I know many people will rush here to insult me. But before commenting, take a minute to put yourself in Sade Adu’s shoes.
You have spent 40 years promoting Nigeria. Insisting to the British media that you are Nigerian when they proudly claimed you for Britain. Then today, you read that someone else is the first Nigerian female to win a Grammy. How would you feel? If after you have put yourself in Sade Adu’s shoes you still feel the need to insult me, then please go ahead.”