African Artists shine at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles
The 68th Grammy Awards took place on Sunday, February 1st, 2026, in Los Angeles, celebrating the artists and recordings that shaped the past year in global music. The ceremony was held at the Crypto.com Arena and broadcast worldwide on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+.
South African comedian and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah returned as host. This year’s Grammys unfolded at a moment when African music had firmly established itself as a central force in the global soundscape.
Artists across the continent continued to influence how audiences around the world danced, reflected, mourned and celebrated. African artists moved beyond participation and into leadership within the global music narrative.
One of the weekend’s most historic moments came even before the main ceremony. At the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards on Saturday, January 31, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti was posthumously honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The recognition made Fela the first African artist to receive the distinction. His children: Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa and Femi Kuti, accepted the award on his behalf, with Yeni noting during the acceptance speech that she believed her father was “smiling down on us.”
During Sunday night’s GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony, South African star Tyla won Best African Music Performance for her single Push 2 Start. The victory marked her second win in the category, following her success during its inaugural year.
She triumphed over a competitive field that included Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Eddy Kenzo, Ayra Starr and Wizkid, emphasizing the depth of talent emerging from the continent.
Nigerian-American artist Shaboozey also claimed a major win, taking home Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Amen alongside Jelly Roll. In his acceptance speech, Shaboozey referenced the political climate in the United States, spotlighting the role immigrants have played in building the country.
On the main Grammy stage, Tyler Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, the Creator delivered one of the night’s most talked-about performances with Thought I Was Dead and Sugar On My Tongue. The American rapper and producer of Nigerian heritage also won the inaugural Best Album Cover award for Chromakopia, a project that samples the influential Zamrock band Ngozi Family.
Not all African nominees took home trophies. Angélique Kidjo did not win Best Global Music Performance for her cover of Jerusalema, while Burna Boy (No Sign of Weakness) and Senegalese legend Youssou N’Dour (Éclairer le monde) missed out on Best Global Music Album.
The Best African Music Performance category showed the diversity of the continent’s sound in 2025. Burna Boy earned a nomination with Love, Davido and Omah Lay were recognised for With You, Eddy Kenzo appeared alongside Mehran Matin for Hope & Love, and Ayra Starr teamed up with Wizkid for Gimme Dat. Tyla ultimately emerged as the category’s winner.
Angélique Kidjo also received a nomination in Best Global Music Performance, reaffirming her status as one of Africa’s most decorated cultural figures, while Burna Boy picked up his 11th career Grammy nomination in the Best Global Music Album category.
Shaboozey further expanded his presence with a nomination for Best Country Solo Performance for Good News, highlighting the growing reach of African and diaspora artists into genres that have historically remained closed.
The broader presence of African artists at the 2026 Grammys reflected the Recording Academy’s continued efforts to diversify and globalise its voting membership. As more voices with lived cultural experience were included, the awards increasingly mirrored the realities of the global music ecosystem.
That shift had already been evident at the 2025 Grammys, when Nigerian singer Tems won Best African Music Performance for Love Me JeJe, and South African flautist Wouter Kellerman earned his third career Grammy in the New Age/Ambient category.
Written by Kweku Sampson
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