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
