2026 Grammy Awards: Burna Boy, Tyla, Davido, Ayra Starr Scoop Major Nominations

The Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards on November 7, ahead of the ceremony scheduled to hold at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga lead the pack with nine and seven nominations respectively.

 

The category most watched across the African continent remains the Best African Music Performance. It stands as the only category created exclusively for African artists. It highlights the continent’s expanding influence on the global music industry.

 

This year’s lineup brought no major surprises. Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, and Tyla returned to the list, maintaining their dominance. They are joined by Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo and producer Mehran Matin, whose collaboration “Hope & Love” earned strong global reviews.

 

Familiar Names, Rising Impact

Tyla became the first artist to win Best African Music Performance in 2024 and earned another nomination this year for “Push 2 Start.” Her earlier win with “Water” showed the Recording Academy’s growing attention to Africa’s influence in global pop culture. In the following year, Nigerian singer Tems took the award for “Love Me Jeje,” further solidifying Africa’s growing recognition at the Grammys.

 

The 2026 nominee list confirms that African music is no longer viewed as a niche genre. It continues to influence mainstream pop, R&B, and dance across continents.

 

The full list of nominees for Best African Music Performance includes:

Burna Boy – “Love”

Tyla – “Push 2 Start”

Davido featuring Omah Lay – “With You”

Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid – “Gimme Dat”

Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin – “Hope & Love”

Each artist represents a different sonic direction, from Afrobeats to Amapiano and Afro-fusion. The variety underscores the continent’s range and adaptability.

 

Beyond the African Category

Burna Boy extends his reach beyond the African segment. He is also nominated in the Best Global Music Album category, joining Senegalese veteran Youssou N’Dour, whose career has defined African pop for over three decades. In the Best Global Music Performance category, Angélique Kidjo of Benin returns as one of the contenders.

 

The 2026 edition marks the fourth consecutive year of strong African visibility in Grammy nominations. It continues a trend that began after the Recording Academy’s expansion of its global categories in 2023. Since then, African artists have appeared consistently across specialized and mainstream fields.

 

The Academy’s changes to its voting body have also contributed to this visibility. More African and diaspora-based industry professionals have joined the membership in recent years. As a result, submissions have grown more diverse , and recognition of African contributions continues to grow.

 

All Eyes on Grammys

Attention now turns to Los Angeles, where the winners will be revealed. Many expect the Best African Music Performance category to be one of the most followed segments of the night. Also, social media engagement from African audiences, especially across Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana, is expected to drive global buzz during the live broadcast.

 

While only one winner will be announced on February 1, the consistency of African nominations signals a permanent seat at the table. African music is now central to the global soundscape. The continent’s artists are not emerging. They are established, and the world is listening.