[JUST IN] 2026 GRAMMYS: TYLA BEATS DAVIDO, BURNA BOY, AYRA STARR TO WIN ‘BEST AFRICAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE’
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By: Sefiu Ajape
South African singer Tyla has won the ‘Best African Music Performance’ award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The 24-year-old artiste secured the prize with her song Push 2 Start, marking her second victory in the category. She previously won the same award at the inaugural 2024 edition for her global hit Water, becoming the first artiste to win the title twice since the category was introduced.
The latest win further boosts the songstress’s influence on the global stage and reinforces her position as one of Africa’s most successful contemporary young pop exports.
The Best African Music Performance category was created in 2024 to recognise recordings that showcase African music.
Tyla’s back-to-back victories have drawn attention to her ability to blend amapiano, pop and R&B into a sound that resonates with international audiences.
“Push 2 Start,” lifted from her self-titled debut album ‘Tyla’ released in 2024, gained widespread popularity through streaming platforms and social media dance challenges.
The song combines amapiano rhythms with polished pop production and themes centred on romance and self-confidence.
Highly Contested Category
This year’s category featured a strong line-up dominated by African heavyweights, particularly from Nigeria.
Other nominees included Burna Boy (Love), Davido featuring Omah Lay (With You), Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid (Gimme Dat), and Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin (Hope & Love).
Beyond the award, Tyla’s success reflects a remarkable career trajectory.
Since emerging from Johannesburg and signing with an international label in 2021, she has achieved major commercial milestones, including a top-25 debut on the Billboard 200 and global chart success with Water.
The 68th Grammys also carried special significance for African music, with legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti honoured posthumously with a Lifetime Achievement Award the night before, further spotlighting the continent’s cultural influence.
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