The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on the night of February 1, 2026, was supposed to be a night of coronation for Nigerian music. With the global explosion of Afrobeats reaching unprecedented heights over the last year, fans from Lagos to London were prepared to see a “Green-White-Green” sweep of the Best African Music Performance category.
Instead, the night ended in a mixture of shock and heated debate as South African sensation Tyla walked away with the golden gramophone, beating out heavyweights like Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr.
The Nominees and the Expectations
Nigeria’s dominance in the category seemed guaranteed on paper. Burna Boy, a perennial Grammy favorite, was nominated for his chart-topping anthem that defined the summer of 2025. Davido, following his massive world tour, was a strong contender with a fan-favorite collaboration, and the “Sabi Queen” Ayra Starr was tipped by many international critics to be the dark horse of the night.
The inclusion of these three titans led many Nigerians to believe that the award was coming to West Africa. However, when the envelope was opened, it was Tyla—the “Water” hitmaker who has successfully blended Amapiano with global Pop—who was called to the stage.
Amapiano vs. Afrobeats: The Great Continental Rivalry
Tyla’s win has reignited the friendly yet fierce rivalry between the Nigerian and South African music scenes. While Nigeria has long been the commercial “Big Brother” of African music, South Africa’s Amapiano genre has become the most influential sonic export on the continent over the last three years.
Music critics argue that Tyla’s win reflects the Recording Academy’s current fascination with the “Amapiano-Pop” fusion, which has found immense success on platforms like TikTok and global streaming charts. “Tyla isn’t just making South African music; she’s making global music with a South African heartbeat,” noted music journalist Segun Orijin. “The Grammys often reward crossover appeal, and currently, Tyla has that in spades.”
Social Media Meltdown: “Grammy Snub” or Fair Play?
As soon as the result was announced, Nigerian social media (formerly Twitter) erupted. The term “Grammy Snub” began trending within minutes, with fans of Burna Boy and Davido accusing the Recording Academy of failing to understand the cultural depth of Afrobeats.
“How many times does Burna Boy have to prove he’s the best in the world?” one viral post read. Others were more pragmatic, pointing out that Nigeria’s votes were likely split among its three major nominees, allowing Tyla to sail through the middle.
However, a growing segment of the Nigerian industry is calling for a “de-centering” of Western awards. “We need to stop looking to the Grammys as the ultimate validation of our sound,” said a prominent Lagos-based producer. “Whether they give us a trophy or not, Afrobeats is the most played sound in the world right now. We have our own awards, like the Headies; let’s make them the global standard.”
What’s Next for Nigerian Music?
Despite the lack of a trophy this year, the 2026 Grammys proved one thing: African music is no longer a “fringe” category. It is a main-stage event. Nigerian artists were featured in the main telecast, and the red carpet was dominated by Nigerian fashion designers.
While the loss hurts for the “30BG” and “Outsiders” fanbases, the industry remains resilient. With new albums expected from Wizkid and Rema later this year, the race for the 2027 Grammys has already begun. For now, the trophy resides in Johannesburg, but if history is any indication, Nigeria’s “Big Three” will be back with a vengeance.