After defeating Nigeria’s top exporters, Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid, in a highly competitive category to win the Best African Music Performance title at the 2026 Grammy Awards, South African pop sensation Tyla has once again established her dominance on the international music scene.
Tyla got the honor with her viral hit, “Push 2 Start,” ahead of Burna Boy’s “Love,” Davido and Omah Lay’s collaboration “With You,” Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s “Gimme Dat,” as well as Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin’s “Hope & Love.” As Afrobeats and African pop become more popular internationally, the category—which was created to highlight African creativity—continues to garner attention on a global scale.
The triumph underscores South Africa’s expanding influence in the African and worldwide music scene and prolongs Tyla’s rapidly increasing domination in international award circles.
For Nigeria, however, the night ended in disappointment. No Nigerian musician won a Grammy in 2026, despite receiving numerous nominations in major categories. Established names including as Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid all fell short, marking one of the few years Africa’s most important music nation failed to capture a win at the Grammys.
Burna Boy also suffered a blow in the Best Global Music Album category, where his effort, “No Sign of Weakness,” lost out to Brazilian superstars Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia, whose collaborative live album, “Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo,” earned the title.
Tyla’s most recent Grammy achievement has historical significance. She is now a two-time winner of the Best African Music Performance category, having first made history in 2024 with her big hit, “Water,” which earned her the title of the category’s inaugural recipient. Her continued success is a symbol of perseverance, acceptance around the world, and the expanding market for African female musicians.
With chart-topping singles and a rising international fan base, Tyla’s ascension reflects a bigger shift in how African music is consumed and recognized internationally. African singers are competing more fiercely at the Grammys as Afrobeats, Amapiano, and African pop continue to dominate playlists in both Europe and the US, heralding a new era for the continent’s sound on the international scene.
