South Africa’s Tyla Beats Davido Burna Boy and Other Nigerian Stars to Win Grammy
South African singer Tyla has made history again at the 2026 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles by winning the Best African Music Performance award. Her song Push 2 Start earned the top prize, beating out strong competition from several well-known Nigerian artists.
Tyla’s win is her second in this category since it was created by the Recording Academy to celebrate African music. She previously won in 2024 with Water, becoming the first artist ever to receive the award when the category was first introduced. Her success with Push 2 Start further confirms her growing global reach and rising influence in the music world.
Despite high expectations, Nigerian stars missed out on Grammy wins this year. Popular names such as Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid were nominated in major categories but did not take home awards. In the Best African Music Performance category, Tyla’s song outperformed entries including Burna Boy’s Love, Davido and Omah Lay’s With You, and Gimme Dat by Ayra Starr and Wizkid.
In another category, Best Global Music Album, Nigerian star Burna Boy’s album No Sign of Weakness was also passed over. The award went to Brazilian music legends Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia for their live project Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo.
Even though Nigerian artists didn’t win, the strong presence of names from Nigeria showed how powerful and influential the country’s music scene remains. Fans and music professionals alike noted that just being nominated highlighted how Nigerian sounds are shaping international playlists, award shows, and global trends.
Tyla’s back-to-back Grammy wins are being widely discussed in entertainment circles. Many observers say her success reflects a shifting music landscape where more African artists from across the continent are gaining global recognition, and competition is becoming stronger.
At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Africa’s creative power was on full display. While Tyla took home the award in her category, the event underscored how African music continues to expand its reach and influence around the world — with even more competition expected in future years.
