Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Amapiano

  • Tyla Claims Historic Second Win Over Afrobeats Heavyweights at 2026 Grammys

    Tyla Claims Historic Second Win Over Afrobeats Heavyweights at 2026 Grammys

    According to The Lagos Review, South African sensation Tyla has once again emerged victorious in the Best African Music Performance category at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Her hit track “Push 2 Start” bested a formidable lineup of Nigerian stars, including Davido’s “With You,” Burna Boy’s “Love,” and Ayra Starr’s “Gimme Dat.” This marks Tyla’s second win in the category, following her 2024 triumph with “Water.”

    The results have sparked a massive debate across Nigerian social media, with fans questioning the Recording Academy’s voting criteria. Despite the loss for current stars, the night was sweetened by a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award for Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, accepted by his children Femi, Yeni, and Kunle Kuti.

    Confirming the win, The Nation Nigeria reported on the mixed reactions within the Nigerian music industry. The outlet quoted fan reactions stating, “He was robbed,” in reference to Davido’s narrow miss. Switsalone also covered the event, capturing Tyla’s emotional acceptance speech where she said, “I’m just so lucky to be here, and I’m so proud to be African.”

    Echotitbits take: While Tyla’s dominance is a testament to the global appeal of Amapiano-fusion, the “zero for ten” streak for Nigerian nominees this year is a wake-up call for the Afrobeats industry. Expect a shift in how Nigerian labels strategize for international awards, possibly moving toward more collaborative “global” sounds to appeal to the Academy’s current palate.

    Source: The Lagos Review — https://thelagosreview.ng/tyla-beats-davido-wizkid-burna-boy-to-grammy-win/ February 5, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Lagos Review

  • Tyla Triumphs Again as Nigerian Stars Face Grammy Heartbreak

    Tyla Triumphs Again as Nigerian Stars Face Grammy Heartbreak

    In a report by PM News Nigeria, the 68th Grammy Awards ended in significant disappointment for the Nigerian music industry as South African sensation Tyla secured the Best African Music Performance trophy for the second consecutive year. Her hit single “Push 2 Start” outpaced heavyweights like Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid, sparking a massive wave of reactions across social media from fans who felt the Afrobeats contingent was overlooked.

    The ceremony, which took place on Sunday night, saw Tyla solidify her status as the leading face of the newly minted category. While Nigerian fans expressed outrage, the night was not a total loss for the nation’s musical heritage, as the Recording Academy honored the legendary Fela Kuti with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the first African to receive the prestigious merit.

    Despite the individual losses for Burna Boy’s “No Sign of Weakness” and Davido’s “With You,” the discourse has shifted toward the “N-POP” movement, a new wave of African music focusing on creative autonomy. Industry veterans like Olamide have called for calm, urging fans to appreciate the global growth of the sound regardless of specific award outcomes.

    The “snub” has reignited debates about the Recording Academy’s understanding of Afrobeats versus Amapiano-infused pop. While the trophy goes to South Africa, the cultural impact of the Nigerian nominees remains undeniable, with many viewing this as a catalyst for artists to further diversify their sound away from “Grammy-chasing” formulas.

    * Punch Nigeria (via Website): “Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid all fell short, leaving the country without a trophy for the year.”

    * Cubana Chiefpriest (via X/Twitter): “Heads up brother, open the bag & drop another hot one for us. E no dey finish, gbedu na Water…”

    Echotitbits take:

    This “double-tap” victory by Tyla is a wake-up call for the Nigerian music industry. It suggests that while Afrobeats has the numbers, the Academy is currently enamored with the sleek, Amapiano-pop crossover appeal Tyla provides. Expect Nigerian A-listers to pivot toward more experimental “N-POP” sounds or double down on grassroots authenticity to regain the narrative in 2027.

    Source: PM News Nigeria — https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2026/02/02/davido-was-robbed-nigerians-outraged-at-davidos-loss-to-tyla-at-2026-grammys/ February 2, 2026

    Photo Credit: PM News Nigeria

  • Tyla Triumphs Over Nigerian Stars to Win Best African Performance at 2026 Grammys

    Tyla Triumphs Over Nigerian Stars to Win Best African Performance at 2026 Grammys

    In an update published by Channels TV, South African singer Tyla has once again secured the “Best African Music Performance” award at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Tyla’s hit song “Push 2 Start” allowed her to beat out prominent Nigerian nominees, including Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr, marking her second win in this highly competitive category.

    The victory has sparked significant conversation across the continent regarding the shifting dynamics of African music on the global stage. While Nigerian Afrobeats has dominated the charts for years, the rise of South African Amapiano-influenced sounds continues to gain massive traction with the Recording Academy and international audiences alike.

    The Punch reported on the reaction from the Nigerian music industry, quoting a local producer who said: “This is a wake-up call for Afrobeats artists to keep innovating.” Premium Times also validated the win, highlighting that President Bola Tinubu praised the overall recognition of African talent at the awards. A report by Daily Nigerian quoted the President: “Fela’s posthumous honour and the success of our young stars show that Africa’s voice is louder than ever.”

    Echotitbits take:

    Tyla’s win signifies that the Grammy’s “African” category is no longer a default win for Nigerian stars. The competition is healthy and reflects a more diverse representation of African sounds. Watch for more cross-border collaborations between South African and Nigerian artists as they look to consolidate their influence on the global Billboard charts in 2026.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/grammys-2026-tyla-beats-burna-boy-davido-ayra-starr-to-win-best-african-music-performance/, and February 2, 2026

    Photo credit: The Punch

  • Lagos Welcomes Stars as 9th AFRIMA Kicks Off With Music, Culture and Business Talks

    Lagos Welcomes Stars as 9th AFRIMA Kicks Off With Music, Culture and Business Talks

    Reporting from The Nation indicates Lagos has begun hosting the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), with multiple leading artistes arriving for a week of performances, tours and industry sessions.

    Organisers say beyond the awards, the festival is designed to strengthen Africa’s music business ecosystem, including discussions around intellectual property and fair royalties.

    Lagos State officials are also positioning the event as a tourism and creative-economy showcase for the city.

    **Echotitbits take:** AFRIMA is major soft power for Nigeria’s creative industry. Watch for policy conversations around rights management—because global popularity won’t translate to wealth for artistes without stronger, enforceable structures.
    Source: Tribune – https://tribuneonlineng.com/lagos-hosts-9th-afrima-as-16-african-artistes-headline-week-long-event/ 2026-01-08

    Photo Credit: Tribune