“I really wanted Davido to win” – VeryDarkMan reacts to Tyla’s Grammy victory

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Nigerian social media influencer, Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has expressed disappointment over South African singer Tyla winning the Best African Music Performance category at the 2026 Grammy Awards, ahead of notable Nigerian stars including Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Omah Lay.

Tyla clinched the award for her hit song Push 2 Start on Sunday night. This marks her second win in the category since she first took home the accolade in 2024 for her song Water, making her the only female artist to have won the award twice.

VDM, known for his outspoken commentary on the music industry, immediately reacted after Tyla’s victory. In a video shared on social media, he questioned the fairness of the result, insisting that he would have preferred Davido to take the award. 

According to him, a win for Davido would have created “balance” among the so-called “Afrobeats Big 3,” as Burna Boy and Wizkid have already earned Grammys.

“Tyla again? Anyways, shoutout to Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr and Wizkid. You guys put in the efforts. 

However, I will be very honest, I really wanted Davido to win so as to create balance. I like the cruise between the fans of the Afrobeats Big 3 on social media. The entries from Nigeria were very good songs, but it is what it is,” VDM said in the video.

The influencer’s remarks sparked conversations among fans and industry observers, with many weighing in on the recurring pattern of female winners in the Best African Music Performance category. To date, only women have won this category at the Grammys, a fact that VDM subtly highlighted in his commentary.

Despite VDM’s disappointment, he commended all the nominees for their contributions to African music. 

His acknowledgment of artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, and Davido reflects a recognition of the growing global influence of Nigerian music and its continued dominance in the Afrobeats scene.

Tyla’s triumph is yet another indicator of the increasing visibility of African music on the world stage, with Grammy recognition helping to cement African artists as global players. 

Her win also continues the trend of spotlighting female musicians, highlighting the diversity within African music talent.

Fans and critics alike continue to debate the fairness and objectivity of Grammy selections. While some believe the awards are influenced by global music politics, others argue that the recognition is based purely on artistic merit. Regardless, Nigerian artists remain central to the conversation, with their consistent presence among the nominees underscoring their impact on international music.

As of now, Davido and other Nigerian nominees have not publicly commented on Tyla’s win. However, the conversation initiated by VDM underscores a broader discussion about representation, gender, and the global recognition of African music.

Tyla’s back-to-back wins in the Best African Music Performance category may be historic, but for many fans and critics like VDM, the desire to see a balance among the continent’s leading male artists continues to grow, fueling debates across social media platforms and music circles.

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