South African pop sensation Tyla etched her name into the record books at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, becoming the first artist to win the Best African Music Performance category twice. The 24-year-old singer secured the trophy for her hit single "Push 2 Start", further solidifying her status as a global powerhouse in a year that saw African music take centre stage at the Crypto.com Arena.
The victory, which coincided with Tyla's birthday, marks her second win in the three-year history of the category. She previously secured the inaugural award in 2024 for her breakout global smash "Water". Her latest win came against a formidable lineup of industry heavyweights, including Nigeria’s Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr, as well as Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo.
“I am a dreamer,” Tyla stated during her acceptance speech, according to reports from Forbes Africa. The singer expressed profound gratitude for the platform, noting that her success reflects the growing international appetite for the Amapiano-infused pop sound she has championed since her debut.
The 2026 ceremony was a night of high stakes for the continent’s music industry. While Tyla celebrated her historic milestone, the evening was bittersweet for the Nigerian contingent. Despite multiple nominations across several categories, including a nod for Burna Boy’s "No Sign of Weakness" in the Best Global Music Album category, Nigerian artists did not take home any trophies this year. Burna Boy ultimately lost to Brazilian legends Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia.
The Recording Academy’s Best African Music Performance category was established to recognise recordings that utilise local expressions from across the African continent. Tyla’s repeat success highlights a specific trend in the category’s brief history: it has been won exclusively by female artists since its inception, following Tems' victory in 2025 for "Love Me JeJe".
The ceremony also paid homage to the roots of the continent’s musical influence. Legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti was posthumously honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beyond the African categories, the 68th Grammys saw Bad Bunny take home Album of the Year for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos", while Kendrick Lamar and SZA won Record of the Year for their collaboration "Luther".
