Tyla Wins Second Grammy, Beats Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr in African Music Category
South African pop sensation Tyla has once again etched her name into global music history, clinching the Best African Music Performance award at the Grammy Awards 2026 ceremony in Los Angeles.
The 24-year-old singer took home the prize for her hit single Push 2 Start, earning her second Grammy and becoming the first artist to win the category twice since it was introduced in 2024. The win came just days after her birthday, adding a personal milestone to an already remarkable career moment.
Tyla’s victory capped a strong showing in one of the most competitive African-focused categories at this year’s awards. Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr were all nominated, alongside Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo. The shortlist reflected the depth of contemporary African music, with Davido’s With You featuring Omah Lay, Burna Boy’s Love, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat, and Hope & Love by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin all in contention.
In the end, it was Push 2 Start that stood out. Released in October 2024, the song served as the lead single for TYLA +, the deluxe edition of Tyla’s self-titled debut album. The track marked another step in her steady rise, blending Amapiano rhythms with pop hooks and R&B influences in a way that has become her signature sound.
Push 2 Start first drew attention with a teaser preview at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards before gaining wider momentum following the release of its music video in November. From there, the song performed strongly on Afrobeats charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom through late 2024 and into 2025, quietly building the global presence that would eventually lead to Grammy recognition.
In 2024, Tyla made history as the first-ever winner of Best African Music Performance with Water, a breakout hit that introduced her to a worldwide audience.
Despite strong representation across multiple categories, with five – Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Omah Lay and Wizkid – nominated at the 2026 Grammy Awards, Nigeria ended the ceremony without a win. Burna Boy also missed out in the Best Global Music Album category, which was won by Brazilian icons Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia. Still, Nigeria’s presence across major nominations highlighted its continued influence in shaping African and global music
Tyla used the Grammy spotlight to hint at what comes next, revealing plans for a new project titled A-Pop. The announcement has already sparked excitement among fans eager to see how she will build on her growing international profile.
Best African Music Performance
Love – Burna Boy
With You – Davido featuring Omah Lay
Hope & Love – Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin
Gimme Dat – Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid
Winner: PUSH 2 START – Tyla
Best Global Music Album
Sounds of Kumbha – Siddhant Bhatia
No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy
Eclairer le monde – Light the World – Youssou N’Dour
Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live) – Shakti
Chapter III: We Return to Light – Anoushka Shankar featuring Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar
Winner: Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo – Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia
