At the 2026 Grammy Awards, South African singer Tyla defeated Nigerian celebrities Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr to win Best African Music Performance. Tyla clinched the title with her song, Push 2 Start, ahead of Burna Boy’s Love, Davido’s With You featuring Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat, and Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin’s Hope & Love. The category, designed to promote African music on the world stage, once again showed a strong Nigerian presence, with three Nigerian singers, Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr, making the final selection.
Since the category's launch in 2024, Tyla has won twice, the first time being with Water. The latest win expanded the songstress's influence on the global scene and confirmed her reputation as one of Africa's most successful modern young pop exporters.
In order to honour recordings that highlight African music, the Best African Music Performance category was established in 2024. Tems was the 2025 winner. Tyla's victories have highlighted her ability to blend pop, R&B, and amapiano into a sound that appeals to listeners around the world.
“Push 2 Start”, lifted from her self-titled debut album ‘Tyla’ released in 2024, gained widespread popularity through streaming platforms and social media dance challenges.
The song combines amapiano sounds and pop, focusing on themes of romance and self-confidence. This year’s category had a strong line-up dominated by African heavyweights, particularly from Nigeria. Burna Boy (Love), Davido and Omah Lay (With You), Ayra Starr and Wizkid (Gimme Dat), and Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin (Hope & Love) were among the other nominations. Beyond the honour, Tyla's accomplishments demonstrate an impressive career path.
Since emerging from Johannesburg and signing with an international label in 2021, she has accomplished big commercial achievements, including a top-25 debut on the Billboard 200 and global chart success with Water.
With iconic Nigerian artist Fela Anikulapo Kuti receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award the previous evening, highlighting the cultural impact of the continent, the 68th Grammy Awards also had a significant impact on African music.