A MEASURED NIGHT FOR NIGERIAN MUSIC AT THE 2026 GRAMMY AWARDS

2026 GRAMMY AWARDS

The 2026 Grammy Awards unfolded without major surprises for Nigerian music, but they offered something just as telling, perspective. Held on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and hosted by Trevor Noah, the ceremony once again affirmed that African music is no longer a guest on the global stage, even when the trophies go elsewhere.

Nigeria entered the night with notable representation, particularly in the Best African Music Performance category. Burna Boy was nominated for Love, Wizkid and Ayra Starr for Gimme Dat, while Davido and Omah Lay earned a nomination for With You. Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo, featuring Mehran Matin on Hope & Love, completed the list of contenders.

When the category was announced, the award went to South African singer Tyla. Despite the strong Nigerian showing, none of the country’s nominees secured the win, marking a quiet outcome for Nigeria in one of the ceremony’s most anticipated African-focused categories.

Tyla’s Continued Rise

Tyla’s victory was not unfamiliar territory for the singer. She previously won the Best African Music Performance category in 2024 with her global hit Water. Her return to the Grammy stage in 2026 highlighted her growing consistency and expanding influence beyond the African continent.

Burna Boy’s Global Album Nomination

Beyond the African performance category, Burna Boy was also nominated for Best Global Music Album. His project, however, did not take home the award. The category was won by Senegalese music legend Youssou N’Dour for Éclairer le monde; Light the World, a project that blends tradition with global appeal.

The result emphasized the diversity within global music and the broad range of African sounds now being recognized by the Recording Academy.

Remembering Recent Nigerian Success

Although Nigerian artists missed out this year, recent Grammy history offers important context. In 2025, Tems won Best African Music Performance for her song Love Me JeJe. The 29-year-old singer edged out a strong field of nominees that included Yemi Alade, Asake, Wizkid, Davido, Lojay, and Burna Boy.

That win remains a significant reminder of Nigeria’s influence within the category and its ability to compete successfully on the global stage.

What the 2026 Outcome Suggests

The absence of a Nigerian win at the 2026 Grammys does not point to decline, but rather to a shift in how African recognition is shared. Artists from different parts of the continent are increasingly taking turns in the spotlight, reflecting a broader and more inclusive view of African music.

For Nigerian artists, continued nominations and visibility signal relevance and staying power. Even without trophies, their presence affirms their role in shaping the global sound.

The 2026 Grammy Awards may not have delivered wins for Nigeria, but they reinforced a larger narrative, African music is no longer defined by one country or one sound. As the global audience continues to expand, Nigerian artists remain firmly part of that story, contributing consistently and visibly to its evolution.