Los Angeles, USA — South African pop sensation Tyla has further cemented her place on the global music stage after winning the Best African Music Performance award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, edging out top Nigerian stars in a highly competitive category.
Tyla claimed the honour with her viral hit “Push 2 Start,” defeating heavyweight contenders including Burna Boy (Love), Davido and Omah Lay (With You), Ayra Starr and Wizkid (Gimme Dat), as well as Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin (Hope & Love). The category, created to spotlight African creativity, continues to attract worldwide attention as African music gains mainstream dominance.
The win reinforces Tyla’s rapid ascent in international award circles and underscores South Africa’s growing influence in the global African music ecosystem.
For Nigeria, however, the night ended without celebration. Despite multiple nominations across key categories, no Nigerian artiste secured a Grammy win in 2026. Industry heavyweights Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid all missed out, marking a rare year in which Africa’s most dominant music export left the ceremony empty-handed.
Burna Boy also fell short in the Best Global Music Album category, where his project “No Sign of Weakness” lost to Brazilian icons Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia, whose collaborative live album “Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo” won the award.
Tyla’s victory carries historic significance. She is now a two-time winner of the Best African Music Performance category, having first made history in 2024 with her global smash “Water,” which earned her the inaugural award. Her repeat success highlights consistency, international acceptance, and the expanding space for African female artistes on the world stage.
With chart-topping releases and a fast-growing global fan base, Tyla’s rise reflects a broader shift in how African music is consumed and celebrated worldwide. As Afrobeats, Amapiano and African pop continue to dominate playlists across Europe and the United States, competition among African artistes at the Grammys is intensifying—signaling a new era for the continent’s sound in global music.
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