Tyla has once again placed African music at the center of the global spotlight. At the 68th Grammy Awards held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the South African star won Best African Music Performance for her hit single “Push 2 Start”. The win marks her second victory in the category, making her the first artiste to claim the award twice since its introduction in 2024.
The ceremony aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, drawing a global audience as Tyla edged out a strong field that included Nigerian heavyweights Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, and Omah Lay, as well as Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo. The result showed her growing influence in shaping how African music is consumed and celebrated worldwide.
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A Historic Win For Tyla
When the Recording Academy introduced the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category, it was to spotlight the continent’s diverse soundscape. Two years in, Tyla has become its most defining figure. This win follows her historic victory in 2024 for “Water”, the song that launched her into global stardom and rewrote the rules for African pop crossover success.
“Push 2 Start”, released in October 2024 as part of TYLA +, the deluxe edition of her debut album, blends Amapiano, pop, and R&B with polished restraint. The song gained traction through viral teasers, a widely praised music video, and steady chart performance across the U.S. and U.K. Afrobeats rankings. By the time Grammy voting closed, it had already become one of the most recognisable African records of the year.
This second win confirms that Tyla’s earlier success was not a one-off moment.
Nigerian Heavyweights Fall Short Despite Strong Nominations
Nigeria entered the 2026 Grammys with significant representation in the category. Davido’s “With You” featuring Omah Lay, Ayra Starr’s “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid, and Burna Boy’s “Love” all secured nominations, underscoring Afrobeats’ continued relevance on the global stage.
Burna Boy also earned a nod for ‘Best Global Music Album’ with No Sign of Weakness, but lost out to Brazilian icons Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia for their joint live project. While the Nigerian artistes left without wins in these categories, their repeated presence on the nomination list highlights their impact within the Recording Academy’s evolving global framework.
For Tyla, however, the night belonged to momentum. Her performance category win stood out as one of the most closely watched African moments of the ceremony.
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What Tyla’s Win Signals for African Music
Tyla’s win arrives at a time when African music no longer seeks validation. Her sound does not rely on excess features or genre dilution. Instead, it travels confidently across borders while retaining its roots, a balance that continues to resonate with international audiences and industry gatekeepers alike.
By winning twice in a category still in its early years, Tyla has effectively set the benchmark. Future nominees will now be measured against a standard she helped establish, both musically and commercially.
As the Grammys continue to expand their global lens, her success reflects a shift in how African artistry is recognised as a sustained creative force..
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