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The 69th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, have once again sparked debates over the African Music Performance category, particularly following Tyla’s historic win.
The South African star claimed the award for her hit single Push 2 Start, becoming the first artist to win the category twice.
While her achievement is widely celebrated, it reignited questions over how African music is defined and recognized on the global stage.
This year, five Nigerian artists were nominated across two Grammy categories. Burna Boy led the Nigerian contingent with two nominations: his album No Sign of Weakness earned him a nod in the global album category, while his single Love was in contention for Best African Music Performance.
Other Nigerian nominees included Davido and Omah Lay for With You, as well as Ayra Starr and Wizkid for Gimme Dat. They faced strong competition from Tyla, who has a growing international presence, and Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo with his collaboration Hope and Love featuring Mehran Matin.
Ahead of the ceremony, Nigerian fans largely favored Davido for his hit song With You, citing its massive cultural impact.
However, Tyla’s global popularity and chart performance were seen as significant factors influencing her victory. Push 2 Start charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and has amassed over 400 million streams on Spotify, solidifying her position as a global pop star.
While the win was not entirely unexpected, it left some Nigerian fans disappointed, highlighting ongoing frustrations with the category.
The discussions around the African Music Performance category are not new. Industry voices, such as music executive Bankulli, argue that the Grammys are an American institution shaped over decades, and that success in the U.S. market often outweighs local or continental influence.
Similarly, popular OAP and hypeman DOTUN noted that internal disputes within the Afrobeats ecosystem and debates over genre definitions have hindered proper appreciation on the global stage.
Nigerian pop culture curator Ayomide Tayo added that the Grammys are influenced by American labels, meaning Nigerian artists face an uphill battle despite their global success.
Tyla’s nomination, according to music commentators, was primarily due to her status as an African artist and the Afrobeats elements in her song.
This pattern reflects how the category favors mainstream African music with international appeal, even if the track’s sonic identity leans heavily toward hip hop, R&B, or American pop.
Past examples include Chris Brown’s nomination in 2025 for Sensational, which featured Afrobeats contributions from Davido and Lojay, despite Brown himself being American.
The debate continues over what truly qualifies as African music. Should the focus be on indigenous musical elements, commercial success, or a combination of both? Clarity from the Recording Academy could help ensure fairer recognition and perhaps lead to the creation of additional categories celebrating the continent’s musical diversity.
Without such clarity, the conversation is likely to repeat in 2027, when Tyla is predicted to be a strong contender once again.
At the end of the day, while Nigerian fans may feel disappointment, these Grammy nominations reflect the growing influence and upward mobility of Afrobeats and African music on the global stage.
The focus, many argue, should remain on the broader growth of the industry and continued international recognition of African artists.
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