African Winners Shine at the 2026 Grammys

African winners at the 2026 Grammys took center stage as the Recording Academy spotlighted the growing influence of African music across global genres. Music lovers around the world tuned in last night to celebrate artists nominated across multiple Grammy categories.

The 68^th Annual Grammy Awards, held at the Crypto Arena, brought together the biggest stars from around the world. One category that drew major attention, especially across Africa and its diaspora, was Best African Music Performance. The category, which was introduced in 2024, continued to affirm African music’s place within global award spaces, reflecting both its cultural weight and commercial reach.

This year’s ceremony, hosted by Trevor Noah for his sixth and final time, placed even more focus on the already global sounds of Africa. From Afrobeats to Amapiano, and from Lagos to Johannesburg, African music continues to command global attention. The Recording Academy reinforced that recognition by honoring legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

With this honor, Fela became the first African artist to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys. His children, Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa, and Femi Kuti, accepted the award on his behalf, marking a historic moment that bridged legacy, resistance, and cultural impact.

2026 Grammys Award Winners

The Best African Music Performance category was introduced in 2024 to spotlight African music and artists on a global stage. Since its introduction, it has become one of the most anticipated categories for African music fans, serving as a reference point for the continent’s evolving sound and global relevance.

This year’s nominees for Best African Music Performance included:

Burna Boy “Love”

Tyla “Push 2 Start”

Davido featuring Omah Lay “With You”

Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid “Gimme Dat”

Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin “Hope & Love”

Tyla emerged as the winner with Push 2 Start, a standout track from “Tyla +”, the deluxe edition of her self-titled album, Tyla. The win marked her second award in the category, following her inaugural win in 2024 with Water, further cementing her position within the current wave of African pop success.

Tyla, Ayra Starr, Davido, Wizkid, Burnaboy

African and Diaspora Artists Expand Their Grammy Impact

In other categories at the ceremony, African and diaspora artists featured prominently across global categories. Angélique Kidjo missed out on Best Global Music Performance for her cover of Jerusalema, while Burna Boy’s “No Sign of Weakness” and Youssou N’Dour’s “Eclairer Le Monde” also lost in the Best Global Music Album category.

Cynthia Erivo secured Best Pop Duo or Group Performance alongside Ariana Grande for “Defying Gravity” from the film adaptation of Wicked. This win marked Erivo’s second Grammy, following her earlier recognition for Best Musical Theater Album for “The Color Purple.”

Nigerian-American artist Shaboozey also claimed a major win, taking Best Country Duo or Group Performance for “Amen” alongside Jelly Roll. During his acceptance speech, he highlighted the contributions of immigrants, stating, “Immigrants literally built this country,” a moment that resonated beyond the music itself.

From legacy icons like Fela Kuti to a new generation led by Tyla, the 2026 Grammys reflected the growing influence of African music across genres and borders. As African artists continue to shape global sound, their presence at the world’s biggest music awards feels less like recognition and more like inevitability.