South African singer Tyla Laura Seethal, popularly known as Tyla, has won the Best African Music Performance award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, edging Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr in one of the night’s most closely watched categories for African music fans.
Tyla clinched the prize with her song Push 2 Start, beating Burna Boy’s Love, Davido’s With You featuring Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat, and Hope & Love by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin.
Speaking during red carpet interviews after her win, the now two-time Grammy winner expressed surprise and gratitude.
“I’m so grateful this is insane. It just shows how far we can take it, I mean, we really have a chance,” she said.
When told by an interviewer that she was holding up the Afrobeats and sub-Saharan legacy, the singer downplayed the suggestion, saying, “Not really, there’s a lot of us doing it, we are all sharing the weight right now, it’s exciting to be here and watch more of us do crazy things.”
The Best African Music Performance category, introduced by the Grammys in recent years to recognise African-origin sounds and artistes, has become a focal point for Nigerian audiences, with expectations high following the global rise of Afrobeats and repeated nominations for Nigerian acts.
Later at the ceremony, Fela Kuti’s children Femi, Yeni and Kunle Kuti received their father’s lifetime achievement award, honouring the late Afrobeat pioneer whose music and activism laid the foundation for much of today’s global African sound.
American rapper Kendrick Lamar also made history at the event, becoming the most-awarded hip-hop artist in Grammy history.
He won best rap album for GNX, bringing his career total to 27 Grammys and surpassing Jay-Z’s previous record of 25.
“Hip hop is gonna always be right here. We’re gonna be in these suits, we’re gonna be looking good, we’re gonna be having our folks with us, we’re gonna be having our culture with us,” he said while accepting his fourth award of the night.
Earlier in the day, the artiste had picked up three awards during the premiere ceremony for best rap song, best rap performance and best melodic rap performance.
Latin music star Bad Bunny also enjoyed a landmark night.
His album Debí Tirar Más Fotos became only the second all-Spanish-language album to be nominated for album of the year, following his own Un Verano Sin Ti three years ago.
He went on to win best global music performance, best música urbana album and album of the year for the project.
The ceremony was not without political statements, as several artistes including Billie Eilish, Kehlani and Bad Bunny, either wore an ‘ICE out’ pin or made remarks criticising the U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement during their speeches.
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