Nigerian music sensation Burna Boy has cemented his status as Africa's global music ambassador by achieving an unprecedented milestone in Grammy Awards history. The Afrobeat superstar, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, has become the first African artist to secure Grammy nominations for seven consecutive years.
Historic Grammy Achievement
The Recording Academy announced nominations for the 68th Grammy Awards on Friday, with Burna Boy earning two nominations that extend his remarkable streak. His song Love received a nomination in the Best African Music Performance category, while his album No Sign of Weakness earned a spot in the Best Global Music Album classification.
This year's nominations mark Burna Boy's seventh straight year of Grammy recognition since his first nomination in 2018. The 34-year-old artist has now accumulated 13 total Grammy nominations throughout his career, with his sole victory coming in 2020 when his album Twice As Tall won the Best Global Music Album category.
Nigerian Dominance in Global Music
Burna Boy's record-breaking achievement highlights Nigeria's growing influence on the international music scene. The 2026 Grammy nominations showcase significant Nigerian representation across categories, demonstrating the global appeal of Afrobeats and Nigerian musical talent.
Other Nigerian artists joining Burna Boy in the nominations include:
- Davido, nominated for With You featuring Omah Lay
- Ayra Starr and Wizkid, recognized for their collaboration Gimme Dat
These artists will compete against Burna Boy's Love in the Best African Music Performance category, alongside entries from Ugandan artist Eddy Kenzo featuring Mehran Matin (Hope & Love) and South African singer Tyla (Push 2 Start).
Global Competition and African Representation
In the Best Global Music Album category, Burna Boy faces formidable international competition from music legends and contemporary stars. His album No Sign of Weakness will compete against works by Senegalese music icon Youssou N'Dour (Eclairer le Monde), Indian sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar (Chapter III: We Return to Light), Brazilian music giants Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia (Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo), and fusion group Shakti (Mind Explosion).
Music industry analysts have praised Burna Boy's consistent Grammy recognition as a significant victory for both Nigeria and the African continent. His sustained presence at music's most prestigious awards ceremony reflects the growing worldwide acceptance and influence of Afrobeats music.
The 68th Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event will celebrate excellence across more than 95 categories spanning pop, rap, gospel, R&B, and world music genres.
This year's nominations continue the strong showing of Nigerian artists at the Grammys, following Tems' leadership in 2025 with three nominations. Recall that at the 67th Grammy Awards, Tems won the Best African Music Performance category with her hit song Love Me Jeje, defeating fellow Nigerian stars Yemi Alade, Burna Boy, and Wizkid.
