African music will take centre stage as some of the continent’s biggest stars converge on Los Angeles for this Year Grammy Awards, with Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr and Tyla all vying for the coveted Best African Music Performance trophy.
The category has become one of the most hotly contested at this year’s ceremony, highlighting the growing global influence of Afrobeats and African pop. Nigeria dominates the nominations, with Burna Boy’s “Love,” Davido featuring Omah Lay on “With You,” and Ayra Starr’s collaboration with Wizkid, “Gimme Dat,” all earning nods.
They face competition from Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin with “Hope & Love,” and South Africa’s Tyla, whose chart-topping hit “PUSH 2 START” rounds out the list.
“This moment shows just how far African music has come on the world stage,” a member of Burna Boy’s team said ahead of the ceremony. “Burna is proud to represent the continent once again.”
Last year, Burna Boy emerged as the most-nominated African artist, earning two nods for Best African Music Performance and Best Global Music Album for No Sign of Weakness. The Grammy winner, who previously took home the award for Twice As Tall at the 63rd ceremony, is now seeking to extend his record-breaking run, having amassed 13 nominations overall.
Tyla is hoping to secure her second Grammy after making history at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards with “Water,” which won the inaugural Best African Music Performance prize. Her latest entry, “PUSH 2 START,” has been the category’s commercial standout, spending 20 non-consecutive weeks atop the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart, reaching No. 1 in the UK Afrobeats Singles chart, and debuting at No. 88 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track has also earned platinum certifications in Brazil and New Zealand and gold in several other territories.
Speaking in a recent interview, Tyla said, “I’m grateful for every opportunity to share African sounds with the world. Just being nominated again is special.”
Davido is also chasing his first Grammy win with “With You,” featuring Omah Lay. The song topped the UK Afrobeats Singles chart, peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart, debuted at No. 1 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100, and has surpassed 100 million Spotify streams. It also won Most Iconic African Song at last year’s AMAN Awards, marking Davido’s fifth Grammy nomination.
“This nomination means everything,” Davido said in a statement. “It’s for the culture, for Nigeria, and for everyone who believed in us.”
Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s “Gimme Dat” has also enjoyed strong reception, climbing to No. 3 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100 and crossing 50 million Spotify streams. Starr, a two-time Grammy nominee, joins forces with Wizkid, who has six nominations and one previous win, in hopes of claiming the prize.
Beyond Nigeria, the category also features continental heavyweights including Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Youssou N’Dour (Senegal) and Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), underscoring Africa’s growing presence at music’s biggest night.
With multiple chart-topping hits and record-breaking achievements in the mix, the Best African Music Performance award is set to deliver a landmark moment for African music — regardless of who walks away with the Grammy.
