With such strong entries, the Best African Music Performance category promises a historic moment for the continent’s music scene, regardless of who takes home the prize.
Entertainment
Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Tyla battle for Grammy glory
African music’s A-listers are set for Sunday’s Grammy Awards, the industry’s biggest global night, with superstars Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr and Tyla hoping to make history in Los Angeles.
All four are angling to add to their trophy cabinets by taking home the gala’s most coveted African award, Best African Music Performance.
On November 7, 2025, Burna Boy received two nominations — Best African Music Performance for “Love” and Best Global Music Album for No Sign of Weakness — making him the highest-nominated African artist in the cycle.
Other Nigerian stars on the list include Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid, alongside continental heavyweights such as Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), Tyla (South Africa) and Youssou N’Dour (Senegal).
In the Best African Music Performance category, Nigeria’s dominance was unmistakable, with “Love” by Burna Boy, “With You” by Davido featuring Omah Lay, and “Gimme Dat” by Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid all nominated.
Other contenders include “Hope & Love” by Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin, and “PUSH 2 START” by South Africa’s Tyla.
Tyla seeks her second trophy, having won the inaugural Grammy Award for the same category at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024 for her hit single “Water.”
Her entry this year, “PUSH 2 START,” stands out as the most successful.
It topped the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for 20 non-consecutive weeks, held No. 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles chart, and debuted at No. 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
It has achieved certifications, including platinum in Brazil and New Zealand, as well as gold in multiple countries.
The song also won Best Afrobeats at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
“With You” by Davido featuring Omah Lay is also strong domestically and regionally, and may produce the If crooner’s first Grammy.
The song hit No. 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles chart, peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart, debuted at No. 1 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100, and amassed over 100 million streams on Spotify.
It won Most Iconic African Song at the 2025 AMAN Awards and marked Davido’s fifth Grammy nomination overall.
For “Gimme Dat,” the energetic collaboration between Ayra Starr and Wizkid gained solid traction, peaking at No. 3 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100 and surpassing 50 million total Spotify streams.
Starr, a two-time Grammy nominee, and Wizkid, a six-time Grammy nominee with 1 prior win, may also take the win on Sunday.
Burna Boy’s hit “Love,” from his album No Sign of Weakness, also reached No. 1 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100, No. 2 on the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart, and No. 4 on the UK Afrobeats Singles chart.
He seeks to extend his record, having amassed a total of 13 nominations, and previously won for Twice As Tall at the 63rd Grammy Awards ceremony.
Nigerian singer Davido has broken his silence following his loss at the 2026 Grammy Awards held on Sunday, February 1.
Daily voice reports that his song featuring Omah Lay, With You was nominated in the Best African Music Performance category, but he did not take home the prize.
After the awards night, the singer shared photos from the event on his Instagram page, with the caption, “Oluwa Dey My Side.” South African star Tyla had clinched the prize for Best African Music Performance category for her song Push 2 Start.
The category featured several Nigerian artistes, including Burna Boy with Love, Davido with With You featuring Omah Lay, and the joint entry from Ayra Starr and Wizkid titled Gimme Dat. Also nominated was Hope & Love by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin. Despite the heavy Nigerian presence, none of the country’s nominees emerged victorious.
The Best African Music Performance category was created to give African sounds wider global attention, and this year’s shortlist once again reflected Nigeria’s strong impact in the music space, with three Nigerian acts making the final list.
Tyla’s latest win makes her a two-time recipient of the Best African Music Performance award. She first claimed the honor in 2024 with Water, becoming the first artiste to win the category. Tyla, 24, is a South African singer and songwriter known for blending amapiano, pop and R&B sounds.
Kendrick Lamar swept the rap categories at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, winning all four. His album ‘GNX’ won the Best Rap Album, while his collaboration with Lefty Gunplay, ‘TV Off’ clinched the Best Rap Song.
His SZA-assisted hit, ‘Luther’ won the Best Melodic Rap Performance while his collaboration with Clipse, ‘Chains & Whips’ took home the Best Rap Performance award.
‘Luther’ also won the highly coveted Record of the Year award.
After sweeping the rap categories and also winning the Record of the Year at this year’s year Grammys, Lamar surpassed Jay-Z (25) as the most-awarded rapper, with 27 Grammies.
Meanwhile, Olivia Dean won the Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammy, beating stiff competition from Leon Thomas, KATSEYE, Addison Rae, and Lola Young.
Dean continued the streak of only women winning Best New Artist at the Grammys since 2017.
Billie Eilish won the Song of the Year for ‘Wildflower’ for a record time.
Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny’s ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ makes history as the first Spanish language ‘Album of the Year’ winner in Grammys history.
Pharrell Williams received the Dr. Dre Global Impact award at this year’s Grammys.
Beyoncé remains the most awarded artiste in Grammy history, with 35 wins.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised the Grammy Awards, describing the ceremony as “virtually unwatchable” and accusing its host, Trevor Noah, of making a false and defamatory statement about him.
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said the Grammys were among the “worst” award shows and claimed broadcaster CBS was “lucky” to no longer air what he called “garbage.”
He also took aim at Noah’s performance as host, comparing him unfavorably to late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.
Trump’s comments followed a remark by Noah during the awards ceremony in which he referenced Trump and former President Bill Clinton in relation to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump strongly denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island or being associated with it in any way.
“I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close,” Trump wrote, insisting that he had never previously been accused of such by the media.
He said Noah’s comment was incorrect and defamatory.
The president warned that he was considering legal action against Noah, calling him a “pathetic” and “talentless” master of ceremonies, and suggested his lawyers could pursue a lawsuit for damages.
Trump also referenced previous legal disputes involving media figures, saying they had “worked out well” for him.
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