South African singer Tyla emerged as the winner of the Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards, edging out top Nigerian acts in a keenly contested category.
The award was announced at the ceremony held on February 2, 2026.
Tyla claimed the prize with her song Push 2 Start, finishing ahead of Burna Boy’s Love, Davido and Omah Lay’s With You, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat, as well as Hope & Love by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin.
The category, created to give African music more space on the global stage, had a strong Nigerian showing, with Burna Boy, Davido and Ayra Starr all making the final list.
Despite this presence, Nigeria ended the night without a single award, as all nominated Nigerian artistes failed to secure a win.
Nigeria’s tough outing continued in the Best Global Music Album category, where Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness lost out to Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo by Brazilian music legends Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia.
Tyla’s latest win makes her a two-time recipient of the Best African Music Performance award.
She first claimed the honour in 2024 with Water, becoming the first artiste to win the category.
Tyla, 24, is a South African singer and songwriter known for blending amapiano, pop and R&B sounds.
