What Chances for Nigerian Artists at 68th Grammys?

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Music’s biggest night is almost here! That’s the 68th Grammy Awards taking place tomorrow at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. For the 2026 Grammys, anticipation is expectedly high as music lovers around the world eagerly await the awards ceremonies, with Nigerian artistes once again at the forefront of the continent’s representation at the upcoming Grammys.

Among the continent’s contenders at the 68th Grammys, ‘The Realest’ crooner, Burna Boy leads the nominees, with nods apiece in the Best African Music Performance for his powerful single ‘Love’ and in the Best Global Music Album for ‘No Sign of Weakness’. He has achieved seven consecutive years of Grammy nominations with 13 total nominations.

While Davido and Omah Lay secured a joint nomination for ‘With You’ in the Best African Music Performance category, a song that massively topped charts across the continent and beyond in 2025, with the momentum sweeping across social media.  Ayra Starr and Wizkid also secured a nomination for ‘Gimme Dat’ in the same category, underscoring Nigeria’s Afrobeats dominance.

Showing a total of five Nigerian artists were nominated across two categories. With three out of the five in the Best African Music Performance, Nigeria’s influence continues to define the continent’s musical identity on the world stage.  Other nominees in the Best African Music Performance include Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin, and South Africa’s Tyla.

Beninese Angélique Kidjo’s nomination outside of the Best African Music Performance category, with ‘Jerusalema’ in the Best Global Music performance comes off as a break and widens chances for nominees in the former category. Kidjo, a worthy favourite of the Grammys, for years, Nigerian acts were regular features in the latter category were she stands tall to win.

Interestingly, one question has resonated among music buffs and lovers of Afrobeats as anticipation builds. What are the chances of Nigerian artists at the 68th Grammy Awards? In the Best African Music Performance, Nigeria’s dominance is unmistakable; “Hope & Love” by Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin, and “Push 2 Start” by South Africa’s sensation Tyla also hold spaces.

Not ignoring Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin, Burna Boy as the Nigerian nominee with the most Grammy pedigree stands a chance with ‘Love’. Davido’s ‘With You’ featuring Omah Lay could also stand a chance given the profile of both stars. Same can be said of Ayra Starr’s ‘Gimmer Dat’ featuring Wizkid who are not strangers to the Grammy Awards list.

However, Tyla is considered a top contender and stands a better chance given the originality of her song. As of August 2025, Tyla’s “Push 2 Start” was officially certified Gold in the U.S. for selling over 500,000 units, spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and reached No. 6 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart. The category’s maiden winner, she boasts of a pedigree with her stellar music and commercial success.

For the Best Global Music Album, Burna Boy, competing against Senegalese legend Youssou N’Dour (Eclairer le Monde – Light the World) hangs in the balance in this category dominated by other strong contenders. Having won Best Global Music Album for Twice as Tall at the 63rd Grammy Awards in 2020, this recognition also marks a record fifth album nomination and just might be his consolation.

Meanwhile, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti will be honoured in the Special Merit Awards, recognizing his legacy and global influence in music. The Nigerian legend, alongside other international music legends, will be bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammys. Others set to be honoured includes Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon.

Harvey Mason Jr, CEO of the Recording Academy, describes the honorees as “an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres, and the very foundation of modern music.” The Special Merit Awards, many of which are posthumous, are scheduled to take place tonight. This will be followed by the 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony tomorrow.