Tyla Beats Burna Boy, Davido to Win Best African Music Performance at 2026 Grammys
South African pop sensation Tyla Laura Seethal, widely known as Tyla, has emerged winner of the Best African Music Performance category at the 2026 Grammy Awards, beating a strong Nigerian lineup that included Burna Boy, Davido and Ayra Starr in what many fans considered one of the most competitive African-focused categories of the night, PulseNets learned.
The singer secured the Grammy with her breakout record Push 2 Start, edging out Burna Boy’s Love, Davido’s With You featuring Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat, as well as Hope & Love by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin, PulseNets obtained.
Speaking to reporters moments after her win on the red carpet, the visibly emotional artiste reacted with disbelief and appreciation, describing the moment as overwhelming.
“Honestly, I’m extremely thankful. This feels unreal,” Tyla said. “It proves that the ceiling is much higher than we think. There’s truly space for us to go global.”
When an interviewer suggested that she was carrying the Afrobeats and broader sub-Saharan African music legacy on her shoulders, the Grammy winner was quick to dismiss the idea, insisting the movement is a collective effort.
“I don’t see it that way,” she explained. “There are so many of us pushing boundaries right now. We’re all carrying it together, and it’s beautiful to witness everyone doing incredible things.”
The Best African Music Performance award, introduced by the Recording Academy in recent years to spotlight African-rooted sounds and artistes, has rapidly become a headline category for Nigerian audiences, especially amid Afrobeats’ sustained global expansion and the consistent presence of Nigerian nominees, PulseNets reported.
Beyond Tyla’s historic win, the ceremony also paid tribute to African music royalty. Children of late Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti—Femi, Yeni and Kunle Kuti—received a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of their father, celebrating his enduring influence on global music and political consciousness.
In another major highlight, American rapper Kendrick Lamar set a new record, becoming the most decorated hip-hop artiste in Grammy history. His victory for Best Rap Album with GNX pushed his career tally to 27 Grammys, surpassing Jay-Z’s long-standing record of 25.
Accepting his fourth award of the evening, Lamar reaffirmed hip-hop’s cultural permanence.
“Hip-hop isn’t going anywhere,” he said. “We’ll be here, representing our culture, showing up with pride and telling our stories.”
Earlier in the day, PulseNets learnt that Kendrick had already collected three awards during the pre-telecast ceremony for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Melodic Rap Performance.
Latin music superstar Bad Bunny also enjoyed a defining night at the Grammys. His album Debí Tirar Más Fotos became just the second fully Spanish-language project to earn an Album of the Year nomination, following his own Un Verano Sin Ti three years earlier.
Also Read: 66th Grammys: Davido, Ayra Starr congratulate Tyla after losing maiden African category
The Puerto Rican artiste went on to win Best Global Music Performance, Best Música Urbana Album, and Album of the Year, capping off a remarkable run.
However, the night was not without controversy. Several artistes, including Billie Eilish, Kehlani and Bad Bunny, used the global stage to make political statements, either by wearing “ICE out” pins or directly criticising the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency during their speeches, PulseNets reported.
