Which singer became the first African-born artist to win a Grammy Award?

Miriam Makeba became the first African-born artist to win a Grammy Award.

Makeba won Best Folk Recording at the 8th Annual Grammy Awards in 1966 for An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba, shared with Harry Belafonte. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, she brought South African musical traditions and anti-apartheid advocacy to international audiences.

The winning album combined performances by Makeba and Belafonte and helped introduce American listeners to music from southern Africa. Makeba’s global career included recordings in several languages and collaborations with artists across jazz, folk, and popular music.

The award is sometimes described as a solo victory for Makeba, but the Grammy was credited jointly to Makeba and Belafonte for their collaborative album. She was nevertheless the first artist born in Africa to receive a Grammy.