South African singer Tyla has once again claimed the spotlight at the Grammy Awards, winning the Best African Music Performance category and edging out a strong field of Nigerian nominees at the 2026 ceremony in Los Angeles. Her victory with the song Push 2 Start marked a second triumph in the category since its introduction, reinforcing her growing dominance on the global stage.
The win came at the expense of some of Nigeria’s biggest music exports. Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid were all nominated across key categories but failed to secure a trophy, leaving Nigeria without a Grammy win despite a high-profile presence on the nomination list.
In the African category, Tyla outperformed Burna Boy’s Love, Davido and Omah Lay’s With You, and Gimme Dat by Ayra Starr and Wizkid. Her success follows her historic 2024 win with Water, which made her the first-ever recipient of the award when the Recording Academy introduced the category to recognise the continent’s expanding global influence.
The result has sparked conversation across African entertainment circles, with many observers noting the increasingly competitive nature of the category as African music continues to command global attention. Tyla’s back-to-back wins highlight South Africa’s rising prominence in a space long dominated by Nigerian Afrobeats stars.
Nigeria’s disappointment extended beyond the African category. In the Best Global Music Album category, Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness missed out as Brazilian legends Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia took home the award for Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo.
Despite the lack of wins, Nigerian artistes maintained strong visibility at the event, reflecting the country’s sustained influence on global music trends. The nominations alone underscored how Nigerian sounds continue to shape playlists, charts and award conversations worldwide.
The 2026 Grammy Awards, organised by the Recording Academy, once again showcased Africa’s growing footprint in global entertainment. While Tyla walked away with the prize, the night reinforced the continent’s creative power — and set the stage for even fiercer competition in future editions.
