African music continues to claim its place on the global stage, with this year’s Grammy nominations highlighting some of the continent’s brightest stars across key world and global music categories. The 2026 nominations reflect not only Africa’s sonic diversity — from Afrobeats and Amapiano to classic world fusion — but also its undeniable cultural influence on modern music.
In the Best African Music Performance category, the competition is fierce and vibrant. Nigeria’s Burna Boy leads with “Love”, earning another chance to add to his Grammy wins. He faces strong competition from fellow Nigerian icons Davido and Omah Lay for their soulful collaboration “With You,” while Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo partners with Mehran Matin on “Hope & Love,” blending East African rhythm with global pop textures. Rising star Ayra Starr earns her second nomination for “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid, while South Africa’s Grammy-winning sensation Tyla rounds off the list with “Push 2 Start,” cementing her status as one of Africa’s most successful global exports.
In the Best Global Music Album category, Africa continues to shine. Nigeria’s Burna Boy returns with “No Sign of Weakness,” standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Senegalese legend Youssou N’Dour, whose album “Éclairer le monde – Light the World” celebrates unity, resilience, and African spirituality. Both artists represent the old and new guard of African excellence — N’Dour with his timeless voice and Burna Boy with his contemporary Afrofusion sound.
Meanwhile, in Best Global Music Performance, Benin’s four-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo earns yet another nod for “JERUSALEMA,” reaffirming her reign as one of the most celebrated African musicians in Grammy history.
With nominations spanning West, East, and Southern Africa, the 2026 Grammy Awards underscore the continent’s unmatched creativity and the continued global embrace of African sounds.
The winners will be announced live on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles — but one thing is already clear: Africa’s rhythm continues to move the world.
Source: ameyawdebrah.com/
