The 68th Grammy Awards, which took place last night, left Nigerians taken aback, as none of the country’s artistes secured a win in their nominated categories.
The Best African Music Performance category was introduced in 2023 and first presented in 2024 to recognise and celebrate outstanding African music. This year featured Nigerian heavyweights such as Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid. Here’s the full list of nominees in this category:
Burna Boy – Love
Davido featuring Omah Lay – With You
Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid – Gimme Dat
Tyla – Push 2 Start
Eddy Kenzo (Ugandan artiste) & Mehran Matin – Hope & Love.
However, the award was won by South African artist Tyla for “Push 2 Start,” making her a two-time winner in the category, having previously won in 2024 for her global hit, “Water.”
Notably, only women have won this category so far, including Tems’ “Love Me Jeje” win in 2025.
Burna Boy, who had been previously nominated for the Best Global Music Album in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, was also nominated this year for his album No Sign of Weakness in the same category. He lost to Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo, a Brazilian album by Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia.
This latest nomination makes him a five-time nominee, with his first and only win in 2021 for his album Twice as Tall.
The night may not have ended in wins for the Nigerian artistes in the Best African Music Performance category. Still, for Collins Obinna Chibueze, professionally known as Shaboozey, it was a different story.
The Nigerian-American artist won his first-ever Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for ‘Amen’, alongside Jelly Roll, and dedicated the award to the children of immigrants. He was also nominated for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for the record Good News.
Beyond individual wins and losses, Nigerian music is still being appreciated, as the late Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, the first of its kind to be presented to an African artist. This was presented at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony on the 31st of January, 2026, 29 years after his death, and was received by members of the Kuti family.
Fela Kuti’s music was not created for mere entertainment, but as a powerful tool to enlighten, educate, and address social and political matters of the nation of Nigeria through records like ‘Zombie’ and ‘Shuffering and Shmiling’. His legacy continues to influence generations of artistes, with his work sampled by several modern stars, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, and J. Cole.
As a legend in Nigerian music and beyond, it is only right that his influence is being recognized on the global stage.
The DIY Collective 
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