South African singer and global sensation, Tyla, has won the Best African Music Performance award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, edging out Nigerian music heavyweights Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr in one of the most keenly contested categories of the night.
Tyla secured the prestigious honour with her hit song ‘Push 2 Start’, which stood out among a strong field of nominees that included Burna Boy’s ‘Love’, Davido’s ‘With You’ featuring Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid’s ‘Gimme Dat’, and ‘Hope & Love’ by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin.
Introduced to recognise and promote African music on the global stage, the Best African Music Performance category once again highlighted the continent’s growing influence in the international music industry.
Nigerian artistes dominated the shortlist, with Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr representing the country, reaffirming Nigeria’s position as a major force in African and global music.
Tyla’s latest victory makes her a two-time winner in the category since its inception in 2024, when she made history with her chart-topping single Water, becoming the inaugural recipient of the award.
Her consecutive successes underscore her rising global profile and the increasing acceptance of African sounds by international audiences.
The win has further cemented Tyla’s status as one of Africa’s leading musical exports, while also reflecting the broader impact of African music, particularly Afrobeats and its evolving sub-genres, on the global entertainment scene.
