Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has expressed surprise over the failure of Essence to win a Grammy Award.
Gatekeepers News reports that Onanuga shared his thoughts on X, where he praised the global hit while reacting to a viral performance clip from the ongoing Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
“Still wondering why Essence did not win a Grammy. Great song, great rhythm!” he wrote.
His comments come amid renewed global attention on the track following a surprise appearance by Justin Bieber, who brought out Wizkid and Tems during his set at Coachella for a live rendition of the remix.
The crowd erupted as Wizkid stepped on stage, underscoring the enduring popularity of the song years after its release.
Released in 2020, Essence is the 11th track on Wizkid’s fourth studio album, Made in Lagos. The song gained international acclaim for its smooth sound and global appeal, with its success peaking in 2021 following a remix featuring Bieber.
The track was nominated at the Grammy Awards 2022 in the Best Global Music Performance category but lost to Beninese music legend Angelique Kidjo.
Despite the setback, Wizkid had earlier secured a Grammy win in 2021 for Best Music Video through his contribution to Brown Skin Girl by Beyoncé.
The 2026 Coachella festival is scheduled to hold over two weekends — April 10–12 and April 17–19 — at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
