Nairobi, February 2 – At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, African music made a powerful impact on the global stage, with several top artists earning nominations and recognition among the world’s best. The Best African Music Performance category once again highlighted the continent’s talent, featuring nominations for heavyweights like Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr (with Wizkid), Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin, and South African breakout star Tyla.
In a hard-fought category celebrating African sounds, Tyla won the award for “PUSH 2 START”, marking her second consecutive Grammy win in this category and underscoring her rise as one of Africa’s leading musical exports.
Beyond performance awards, African music’s global influence was also felt in the nominations list, with Burna Boy earning a nod in the Best Global Music Album category for No Sign of Weakness and legendary artists like Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour and Benin’s Angélique Kidjo recognised for their contributions to world music.
The ceremony, hosted by Trevor Noah at the Crypto.com Arena, celebrated musical excellence across genres. American artists dominated some of the biggest categories, with Kendrick Lamar leading the night by winning multiple Grammys, including Record of the Year for “Luther,” and extending his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most awarded artists.
In major general fields, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos made history by winning Album of the Year, becoming the first predominantly Spanish-language album to claim that honour. Pop sensation Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist, while Billie Eilish took home Song of the Year for “Wildflower.”
The night also saw a vibrant mix of winners across genres: Lady Gaga won awards in pop categories, Doechii’s “Anxiety” earned Best Music Video, and Leon Thomas was recognised in R&B fields, reflecting the wide range of music celebrated at the ceremony.
Overall, the 2026 Grammys highlighted not only the powerhouses of the global music industry but also the unmistakable influence of African artists — a reflection of the continent’s deep and growing impact on the worldwide musical landscape.
