Los Angeles, February 1, 2026
— South African singer Tyla has won the Best African Music Performance award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, defeating a strong field of African music stars that included Nigeria’s Davido, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr.
Tyla claimed the prestigious accolade with her hit single “Push 2 Start,” marking her second Grammy victory in this category since the award was introduced in 2024.
She previously won the inaugural Best African Music Performance award for “Water,” making her the first artist to win the category twice.
The Best African Music Performance category, established by the Recording Academy to highlight excellence in African recordings, featured a competitive lineup this year.
Other nominees included Davido and Omah Lay for With You,” Burna Boy for “Love,” and Ayra Starr with Wizkid for “Gimme Dat.”
Ugandan artist Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin were also among the finalists with “Hope & Love.”
Despite high expectations and strong Nigerian representation, none of the Nigerian nominees secured a win in the category. Observers noted that while Nigerian artists dominated the nominations, the final award went to Tyla, whose blend of amapiano, pop and R&B has gained traction across global platforms. This outcome continues Tyla’s meteoric rise in the global music scene, underscoring her growing influence and crossover appeal.
“Push 2 Start,” released in late 2024 as part of the deluxe edition of her self-titled album, has achieved significant streaming success and critical acclaim, helping propel her to repeated recognition by the Recording Academy.
The 2026 Grammys, hosted by Trevor Noah, featured a wide array of winners across genres, with accolades going to international stars such as Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, and Kehlani, alongside Tyla’s landmark victory in the African music category.
