When the nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards were revealed on 7 November, the global music world sat up and Africa had a seat at the table. The continent’s artists, long influential and innovative, now appear not just as contributors but as contenders. Their nominations mark a powerful shift: Africa’s sound, vision and stories being celebrated on the biggest stage in music.
The African Momentum
The Grammy category for Best African Music Performance was introduced only in recent years, recognising the unique voice and rhythm of music made on the continent.
With nominations this year, African artists are no longer peripheral—they are central. The rise of Afrobeats, amapiano and hybrid genres has helped build bridges across culture, geography and audience. The 2026 nominees from Africa reflect not just popularity, but artistry, ambition and global relevance.
The Nominees and Their Nods
From Nigeria to South Africa, the 2026 nominations include major names and rising stars. Here’s what each artist is nominated for:
- Burna Boy (Nigeria): His song “Love” is nominated for Best African Music Performance, and his album No Sign of Weakness is nominated for Best Global Music Album. This dual nod marks yet another milestone in his career and underscores his ongoing global reach.
- Davido (Nigeria): His track “With You” (featuring Omah Lay) has earned a nomination for Best African Music Performance. This nomination further confirms his position among Africa’s top-tier artists engaged on the global stage.
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria): Teaming up with Wizkid for “Gimme Dat”, Ayra Starr is nominated for Best African Music Performance. This nod signals the rise of younger voices from Africa stepping into the mainstream limelight.
- Tyla (South Africa): Her song “PUSH 2 START” is nominated for Best African Music Performance. This shows that Afrobeats and African music’s global influence is broadening beyond West Africa.
- Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin (Uganda & international collaborator): Their joint effort “Hope & Love” is nominated for Best African Music Performance, illustrating how cross-continent collaborations are part of the narrative of African music’s rise.
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Tyla: A Global Voice With South African Roots
South African star Tyla continues her unstoppable global ascent with a Grammy nomination for “Push 2 Start” in the Best African Music Performance category. After taking the world by storm with her breakout single “Water,” which earned her first Grammy in 2024, Tyla has maintained her shine with a sound that blends Amapiano’s infectious rhythms with sultry pop appeal. “Push 2 Start” marks yet another demonstration of her artistry — polished yet distinctly African. The song’s nomination underscores her role as a bridge between South Africa’s dance floors and international pop charts. For Tyla, this is more than recognition; it’s validation that her continent’s sound is shaping the world’s playlists.
Why These Nominations Matter
- For Burna Boy, these two nominations mark a significant milestone: his track “Love” and album No Sign of Weakness continue his upward trajectory. He now holds the record of being nominated every year since 2018, bringing his total nominations to 13 with one win so far.
- The presence of artists like Ayra Starr and Tyla shows that the African music wave is not only sustained but expanding — younger voices, new genres, global reach.
- These nominations also highlight how African music is now being measured against global standards, not simply as a regional curiosity.
- The list spans more than one country, showing growing inclusivity: Nigeria continues to dominate, but Uganda and South Africa are firmly in view too.
- The category “Best African Music Performance” is still young (introduced only in the last few years) — so each year’s nominations carry weight beyond the awards. They showcase the continent’s evolving musical identity on the global stage.
Closing Reflection
This nomination list is more than just a roll-call. It’s a signal that African music is no longer on the sidelines of the global industry — it’s centre stage. For young artists across the continent, the message is clear: the world is listening, and if you bring originality, voice, and culture, you can compete internationally.
Africa’s sound is no longer just local rhythm — it’s part of the global soundtrack.
