Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Recording Academy

  • 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

  • Davido Faces Backlash Over “Grammy Exit” Following Disappointing Night in LA

    Davido Faces Backlash Over “Grammy Exit” Following Disappointing Night in LA

    According to Legit.ng, Nigerian Afrobeats titan Davido has reportedly initiated a major move to distance himself from the Grammy Awards after failing to secure a win at the 2026 ceremony. Despite multiple nominations for his hit “With You,” the singer’s camp is allegedly “done” with the Recording Academy, signaling a potential shift in how the DMW boss will approach international accolades moving forward.

    The move comes as fans and critics alike digest the results from the Crypto.com Arena, where South African star Tyla once again edged out Nigerian heavyweights in the Best African Music Performance category. While some fans are rallying behind Davido’s perceived snub, others are calling for a more diplomatic approach to international award cycles.

    Naija News reported on the singer’s mood, stating, “Davido breaks silence after Grammy loss, sparking mixed reactions among the 30BG fan base.” Meanwhile, The Nation highlighted the frustration of the audience, noting that “He was robbed; fans react to Davido’s Grammy loss” as the conversation continues to dominate Twitter (X) and Instagram.

    Echotitbits take:

    This development marks a significant “temper tantrum” or a strategic “pivot” depending on who you ask. If Davido truly halts his pursuit of the Grammys, it could encourage other Afrobeats stars to prioritize home-grown awards over Western validation. However, at this level of stardom, completely ignoring the Academy is easier said than done, so watch for a quiet return to the submission list by next year.

    Source: The Nation — https://thenationonlineng.net/he-was-robbed-fans-react-to-davidos-grammy-loss/ February 4, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Nation

  • Afrobeat Legend Fela Kuti Receives Historic Posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

    Afrobeat Legend Fela Kuti Receives Historic Posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

    According to TheCable, the family of the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has officially accepted a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Special Merit Awards. The ceremony, held just ahead of the main 68th Grammy event, marks a monumental milestone as Fela becomes the first African artist to ever receive this specific distinction from the Recording Academy.

    The honor recognizes Fela’s unparalleled contribution to global music and his role in founding the Afrobeat genre, which continues to influence contemporary stars like Burna Boy and Wizkid. His children and grandchildren were present to receive the golden gramophone, cementing the Kuti legacy on the world’s most prestigious musical stage.

    This recognition comes at a time when African music is seeing record-breaking representation at the Grammys. The Academy highlighted Fela’s activism and musical innovation as key reasons for the honor, placing him alongside icons like Whitney Houston and Cher in this year’s class of honorees.

    The win has sparked widespread celebration across Nigerian social media, with fans noting that the “Abami Eda” has finally received his due from an institution that many felt had overlooked him for decades. The timing of the award serves as a powerful prologue to the main ceremony, where several Nigerian artists are vying for wins in the newly established African music categories.

    * Punch Newspapers (Official Website): “Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti is posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the first for an African artist, at the 2026 ceremony.”

    * The Nation Online (Official Website): “He’ll be celebrated alongside icons like Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony.”

    Echotitbits take:

    This is more than just a trophy; it is a formal validation of Nigeria’s cultural export at its source. By honoring Fela, the Recording Academy is finally acknowledging that the current global Afrobeats explosion isn’t a trend, but a movement built on a half-century-old foundation. Expect this to fuel the “Grammy fever” in Nigeria, potentially influencing how the Academy views African legacy acts in the future.

    Source: Al-Jazeera — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/1/fela-kuti-becomes-first-african-to-get-grammys-lifetime-achievement-award February 1, 2026

    Photo Credit: Al-Jazeera

  • Kendrick Lamar Within Reach of Jay-Z’s All-Time Grammy Record

    Kendrick Lamar Within Reach of Jay-Z’s All-Time Grammy Record

    Covers.com reports that Kendrick Lamar is heading into the 2026 Grammy Awards with nine nominations, positioning him to potentially break Jay‑Z’s all‑time record for Grammys won by a rapper. Lamar reportedly has 22 Grammys and would need four more wins to surpass Jay‑Z’s 25.

    Associated Press coverage cited in the item frames Lamar as a frontrunner in multiple major categories, while other outlets note the broader momentum around his recent chart dominance.

    **Echotitbits take:** The “Kendrick vs. the world” narrative has led to a possible coronation moment. If he surpasses Jay‑Z, the GOAT debate moves from barbershop talk to record books—especially if he delivers a headline performance that addresses the year’s lyrical and legal drama.

    Source: Grammy – https://www.grammy.com/news/rappers-who-have-the-most-grammy-wins  (January 23, 2026)

    Photo Credit: Grammy 2026-01-23

  • Fela Kuti earns Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement recognition ahead of Grammy Week

    Fela Kuti earns Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement recognition ahead of Grammy Week

    According to The Guardian Nigeria, Fela Kuti’s legacy is back in focus as he is listed among honorees for the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award tied to Grammy Week activities.

    The recognition further spotlights Afrobeat’s global influence and the enduring impact of Fela’s artistry and activism.

    Independent checks:

    • Recording Academy (Press/Announcement): “Lifetime Achievement Award honorees” — https://www.grammy.com/
    • Pitchfork: “Lifetime Achievement” honorees list coverage — https://pitchfork.com/

    Lifetime Achievement honors don’t just celebrate history—they trigger discovery. Expect renewed streaming attention, playlist placement, and fresh debates about Afrobeat’s roots and how modern Afrobeats relates to the genre’s origin story.

    Source: The Punch — 2026-01-07 — https://punchng.com/netizens-hail-fela-kutis-grammy-lifetime-achievement-award-as-well%E2%80%91deserved/

    Source: The Punch 2026-01-07

    Photo Credit: The Punch