This year, Recording Academy voters cast ballots for nearly 100 categories, including Best African Music Performance, which had Nigeria’s Burna Boy, Davido (featuring Omah Lay), and Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid.
The 68th annual Grammy Awards aired Sunday night on CBS and Paramount+. Trevor Noah hosted; performers included Carpenter, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga and more. The show took place at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.
Which African brought home a golden gramophone at the 2026 Grammy Awards? Read on for a list of winners
Best African Music Performance
Tyla won Best African Music Performance for ‘Push 2 Start’, marking another international milestone for not just the artist but Africa. The category, introduced to recognise contemporary African music on the world’s largest recording industry stage, also featured nominations for Burna Boy, Davido featuring Omah Lay, Eddy Kenzo with Mehran Matin, and Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid.
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti – Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (Special Merit Award)
Legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti was posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at a special ceremony during the Grammy weekend. This recognition celebrated his historic impact on global music and Afrobeat’s worldwide influence.
In another notable result linked to the African diaspora, Shaboozey won Best Country Solo Performance, prevailing in a category that included Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top and Lainey Wilson. His win reflects the continued expansion of country music beyond its traditional boundaries.
Big Shoutouts to the African winners.
