African Music Dominates the 68th Grammy Awards as Global Influence Takes Centre Stage

LOS ANGELES — African music asserted its growing global dominance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on 1 February 2026 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. From historic wins and powerful performances to behind-the-scenes production credits, the ceremony reinforced Africa’s position as one of the most influential forces shaping modern global music.

Historic Wins for African Artists

South African superstar Tyla continued her groundbreaking run by winning Best African Music Performance for Push 2 Start, becoming the first artist to win the category twice since its introduction. The win further cemented her role as one of the leading global ambassadors of amapiano, a genre that has transitioned from South African townships to international charts and award stages.

In the Best Global Music Album category, Senegalese icon Youssou N’Dour claimed the award for Éclairer le monde: Light the World. The project was widely praised for blending traditional West African rhythms with contemporary global sounds, underscoring the enduring relevance of African musical heritage in the digital era.

Lifetime Achievement Honour for Afrobeat Pioneer Fela Kuti

One of the most emotional moments of Grammy week came with the posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the legendary Nigerian musician and creator of Afrobeat. The award recognised Fela’s cultural, political and musical legacy, which continues to influence generations of artists across Africa and beyond.

The honour was accepted by members of the Kuti family, who highlighted Fela’s role in laying the foundation for the global success of Afrobeats and African-influenced music today.

African Music on the Grammy Stage

African sounds were not only celebrated through awards but also featured prominently in live performances throughout the ceremony.

• Tyla delivered a high-energy mainstage performance, blending Water and Push 2 Start in a set inspired by South African club culture, complete with amapiano choreography and African dance elements.
• A special Afrobeats and Amapiano transition segment featured music from Burna Boy and Davido, highlighting the global reach of Nigerian music and its influence on contemporary pop and R&B.
• African rhythms and percussion elements were woven into several interludes and DJ segments, reflecting the Recording Academy’s acknowledgement of Africa’s sonic impact on mainstream music.

African Producers and Songwriters Shape the Sound

Beyond the spotlight, the Grammys also highlighted the growing influence of African and African-descended producers, songwriters and creatives shaping global hits.

• P.Priime (Nigeria) received recognition for production and songwriting credits across multiple nominated tracks in the Global and R&B categories, reinforcing Lagos’ status as a global hit-making hub.
• Lojay (Nigeria) was credited for collaborative songwriting and vocal contributions, continuing his rise as a versatile creative force.
• Bantu and Dr. Chaii, Zimbabwean producers based in the United States, earned nominations for their work on Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness, reflecting the increasing visibility of Zimbabwean talent on the global stage.
• Annatoria (UK/Zimbabwe) received a songwriting nomination for her work on a major gospel recording, marking a notable achievement for African women in faith-based and inspirational music spaces.

These recognitions underscored a broader reality: African influence is no longer limited to performers — it is deeply embedded in production, songwriting, engineering and creative direction across the industry.

African Nominees Across Categories

African artists and African-linked projects featured strongly among nominees at the 2026 Grammys, including:

• Nigeria: Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Omah Lay, Burna Boy, Davido
• South Africa: Tyla
• Uganda: Eddy Kenzo
• Senegal: Youssou N’Dour
• Benin: Angélique Kidjo
• Zimbabwe: Roots Rocking Zimbabwe (1975–1980), nominated in the Best Historical Album category

The diversity of nominees reflected the continent’s wide musical range — from Afrobeats and amapiano to gospel, heritage recordings and global fusion projects.

Africa’s Moment Is Now

As the 68th Grammy Awards concluded, the message from the global music industry was clear: African music is no longer emerging — it is leading. Whether through chart-topping hits, award-winning albums, or the creative minds shaping global soundtracks, Africa’s cultural influence continues to expand across genres, borders and generations.