Nigeria's Grammy Ambitions: Assessing the 2026 Nomination Landscape
The music world turns its attention to the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena. Nigeria enters this prestigious ceremony with significant representation, as five of its biggest musical stars have secured nominations across two competitive categories.
Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, and Omah Lay carry the nation's hopes on the global stage, creating palpable excitement and high expectations among fans and industry observers alike. This comprehensive analysis examines Nigeria's prospects category-by-category, considering historical patterns, commercial impact in the United States market, and the complex dynamics of Grammy voting committees.
Best African Music Performance: A Crowded Field of Contenders
The creation of the Best African Music Performance category directly reflects Afrobeats' remarkable commercial breakthrough in the United States. Nigerian artists have already made history here, with Tems becoming the first Nigerian winner at the 2025 Grammys. For the 2026 ceremony, the competition features multiple Nigerian heavyweights alongside strong regional challengers.
The nominated entries in this category include:
- "Love" by Burna Boy
- "With You" by Davido featuring Omah Lay
- "Gimme Dat" by Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid
- "Push 2 Start" by Tyla from South Africa
- "Hope & Love" by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin from Uganda
Burna Boy brings formidable Grammy pedigree to the competition, boasting an impressive record of thirteen career nominations. While his nomination for "Love" maintains his status as a legacy artist, the track hasn't replicated the seismic cultural impact of his previous global hits like "Last Last." This nomination appears more as a recognition of his established position than a front-running contender.
Davido's "With You" represents one of Africa's biggest musical successes of 2025. The track broke records for first-week streams on Spotify Nigeria and achieved significant traction on U.S. Urban Radio charts, moving 175,000 units in the American market. Beyond streaming numbers, Davido's sold-out U.S. tour in 2025 and growing industry respect suggest this might represent his breakthrough moment after previous Grammy disappointments.
The most significant challenge comes from South Africa's Tyla, the category's inaugural winner. Her single "Push 2 Start" has achieved remarkable commercial success, surpassing 440 million Spotify streams and peaking at number 88 on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart. With Gold certification in the United States for over 500,000 units sold, plus eight weeks at number one on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, Tyla represents a formidable contender who successfully bridges African and American markets.
Category Verdict: The Nigerian vote may split among multiple strong entries, potentially allowing Tyla to secure a second consecutive win. However, Davido emerges as a slight favorite, with industry sentiment possibly shifting toward recognizing his decade of global ambassadorial work through an undeniable hit song. If Tyla doesn't claim victory, this award appears to be Davido's to lose.
Best Global Music Album: An Uphill Battle for Recognition
The Best Global Music Album category maintains a reputation for favoring traditional sounds and legendary icons over contemporary pop offerings. Burna Boy's nomination for No Sign of Weakness marks his fifth consecutive album recognition in this category, a testament to his consistent Grammy pedigree despite the album being considered weaker than his previous nominated works.
The competition includes:
- Sounds Of Kumbha by Siddhant Bhatia
- No Sign of Weakness by Burna Boy
- Éclairer le monde – Light the World by Youssou N’Dour
- Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live) by Shakti
- Chapter III: We Return to Light by Anoushka Shankar featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar
- Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo by Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia
Burna Boy creates pop music that resonates with millions of global listeners, but this category has consistently prioritized critical acclaim and traditional musicality over commercial success. The presence of legendary figures like Youssou N'Dour and critically acclaimed projects from artists like Anoushka Shankar and Shakti creates significant challenges for contemporary Afrobeats representation.
Category Verdict: Nigerian victory appears unlikely here. The Recording Academy's historical preference for "classic" Global Music aesthetics suggests the award will go to established world music icons rather than contemporary African pop, despite Burna Boy's impressive nomination streak.
Best Global Music Performance: A Notable Absence
Perhaps the most telling development in Nigeria's 2026 Grammy cycle is the complete absence from the Best Global Music Performance category. For years, Nigerian artists were consistent fixtures in this competition, making their total exclusion this year particularly significant.
The nominated performances include:
- "JERUSALEMA" by Angélique Kidjo
- "EoO" by Bad Bunny
- "Shrini's Dream (Live)" by Shakti
- "Daybreak" by Anoushka Shankar
- "Cantando en el Camino" by Ciro Hurtado
Angélique Kidjo returns as the "Queen Mother" of African folk music in a category she has dominated for decades. Bad Bunny's inclusion adds another dimension, with the global megastar's upcoming Super Bowl performance strengthening his narrative. Fourteen-time nominee Anoushka Shankar continues her pursuit of this particular Grammy recognition.
Category Verdict: Nigeria finds itself as a spectator in a category it once aimed to dominate. Bad Bunny's "EoO" and Angélique Kidjo's "JERUSALEMA" emerge as clear favorites, leaving Nigerian artists completely absent from this year's competition.
Overall Assessment and National Implications
Nigeria's 2026 Grammy nominations reflect both progress and challenges in the global recognition of African music. The strong representation in the Best African Music Performance category demonstrates Afrobeats' continued commercial relevance and artistic excellence. However, the complete absence from the Global Music Performance category and uphill battle in the Global Music Album competition reveal areas where Nigerian music still seeks broader acceptance within traditional Grammy voting patterns.
The multiple nominations across these categories nevertheless represent significant achievements for Nigerian artists, highlighting their growing influence on the world stage. As the music industry prepares for the February ceremony, all eyes will be on whether Nigeria's musical ambassadors can convert nominations into historic wins, further solidifying the nation's position in global music culture.
