By Hopejane Uzor
Nigeria’s music industry recorded a historic triumph as the Grammy Awards celebrated Afrobeats as a dominant global sound, honouring both its pioneers and modern stars who have carried African rhythms to the world.
In a defining moment, legendary Afrobeat founder Fela Anikulapo Kuti was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his revolutionary influence on music and social consciousness.
The ceremony also spotlighted contemporary Nigerian superstars Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr, whose global success has positioned Afrobeats at the heart of international pop culture.
From sold-out world tours to chart-topping hits, the artistes were praised for breaking barriers and redefining Africa’s presence in the global entertainment industry.
Grammy organisers described Afrobeats as “a cultural force shaping modern music across continents,” noting its growing influence in Europe, the United States and beyond.
Burna Boy’s fusion of African sounds with global rhythms, Wizkid’s international collaborations, Davido’s global fan base and Ayra Starr’s meteoric rise were all cited as proof of the genre’s unstoppable expansion.
Beyond awards and fame, the Afrobeats revolution has boosted Africa’s creative economy, creating opportunities in music production, fashion, media and tourism.
It has also strengthened cultural pride, projecting African creativity as a powerful global brand rather than a regional trend.
As the world paid tribute to Fela Kuti’s enduring legacy, many artistes acknowledged that today’s success is rooted in his fearless innovation.
With Afrobeats now firmly planted on the global stage, Nigeria continues to lead Africa’s cultural renaissance — turning local rhythms into a worldwide movement.
South African music star Tyla has emerged winner of the Best African Music Performance category at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, United States.
The 24-year-old singer won the award with her hit track “Push 2 Start,” making history as the first artiste to claim the honour twice since the category was introduced in 2024.
She previously won the maiden award with her global sensation “Water.”
The category witnessed intense competition from Africa’s leading artistes, with Nigerian stars dominating the nominations. Burna Boy was nominated for Love, Davido featuring Omah Lay for With You, while Ayra Starr and Wizkid earned recognition for Gimme Dat. Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin were also shortlisted for Hope & Love.
Introduced in 2024, the Best African Music Performance award celebrates songs that reflect Africa’s diverse sounds and growing global influence. Tyla’s back-to-back win underscores Africa’s rising footprint in the international music industry, as the continent’s artistes continue to command global attention and acclaim.
