African Artists Dominate 2026 GRAMMY Nominations as Afrobeats Wave Becomes a Movement

The Recording Academy has unveiled the nominees for the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards, confirming yet another monumental year for African music on the global stage. The nominations underscore that the Afrobeats sound has fully cemented its place not just as a passing trend, but as a powerful, enduring cultural movement worldwide.

Nigerian artists, in particular, led the charge, with Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid earning nominations in major categories, showcasing the continent’s vibrant musical diversity and global impact.

Burna Boy Leads the Charge
Burna Boy continues his record-breaking run, securing two major nominations. He is recognized in the Best African Music Performance category for his single “Love,” and in the Best Global Music Album category for his critically acclaimed project, “No Sign of Weakness.” This marks his seventh consecutive Grammy nomination streak since 2020, further solidifying his status as a contemporary African music titan.

Nigerian Stars Shine Bright
Following closely behind is Davido, who returns to the GRAMMYs stage with his collaboration “With You,” featuring Omah Lay, earning a nod in the Best African Music Performance category.

Rising star Ayra Starr and global icon Wizkid also secured nominations for their effortlessly catchy tune, “Gimme Dat.” The track, which has been lighting up dance floors worldwide, competes in the fiercely contested Best African Music Performance category.

Continental Excellence
The nominees list reflects the depth of talent across the continent:

Tyla (South Africa): Following her massive global success with “Water,” Tyla earns a nomination for “Push 2 Start” in the Best African Music Performance category.

Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin (Uganda): The duo is also nominated for Best African Music Performance with their track, “Hope & Love.”

Meanwhile, Beninese legend Angélique Kidjo reminds the world of her perennial prowess, earning another nomination—this time for “Jerusalem” in the Best Global Music Performance category, a testament to her enduring influence.

The 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcast globally on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.

The nominations signal that the world is undeniably still dancing to the rhythm of Africa, with Afrobeats and other continental sounds driving global music trends.