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African music took centre stage on Sunday as artists from the continent secured landmark wins at the 68th Grammy Awards.
The ceremony, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, reflected Africa’s growing influence on global music culture.
The awards celebrated recordings released over the past year, a period widely seen as transformative for African creativity.
Trevor Noah Hosts Global Ceremony
South African comedian and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah returned as host of the Grammys for the night.
The event was broadcast worldwide on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, attracting millions of global viewers.
Organisers described the ceremony as one of the most diverse in the awards’ history.
Fela Kuti Receives Historic Lifetime Honour
Late Nigerian music legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti became the first African artist to receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The honour was presented during the Special Merit Awards on Saturday night.
Fela’s children, Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa and Femi Kuti, accepted the award on behalf of their father.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yeni Kuti said the recognition affirmed Fela’s enduring impact on global music and culture.
Tyla Wins Best African Music Performance
South African star Tyla won the Grammy for Best African Music Performance with her hit single Push 2 Start.
The victory makes her the first artist to win the category twice since its introduction.
She beat strong contenders including Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, and Eddy Kenzo.
The category remains the only Grammy award dedicated exclusively to African music.
Shaboozey Earns Country Music Recognition
Nigerian-American artist Shaboozey won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Amen, alongside Jelly Roll.
During his acceptance speech, Shaboozey highlighted the role of immigrants in shaping American society.
The win underscored the growing presence of African-descended artists across diverse global genres.
Tyler, The Creator Secures Visual Award
American rapper and producer Tyler Okonma, known as Tyler, The Creator, won the inaugural Best Album Cover award.
The honour went to Chromakopia, an album that samples Nigeria’s Zamrock-era band, Ngozi Family.
Tyler, who has Nigerian heritage, also delivered a high-energy performance during the ceremony.
African Artists Shine Across Categories
Several African musicians received nominations in major global categories at this year’s awards.
Burna Boy earned his 11th Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album with No Sign of Weakness.
Senegalese icon Youssou N’Dour was also nominated in the category for Éclairer le monde.
Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo received a nod for Best Global Music Performance with Jerusalema.
Africa’s Sound Reshapes Global Music
The Recording Academy has expanded its membership to reflect wider global musical experiences and cultures.
Industry observers say the shift has improved recognition for African artists across international award platforms.
Although not all nominees secured wins, their presence marked continued progress for African representation.
A Defining Cultural Moment
From Lagos to Johannesburg, African music continues to influence global sound, style, and storytelling.
The 2026 Grammys confirmed that African artists are no longer peripheral figures on the world stage.
They now sit firmly at the centre of contemporary global music culture.
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