Burna Boy, Davido, Tyla, Ayra Starr & Eddy Kenzo: Meet the 2026 Grammy Best African Music Contenders
Meet the 2026 Grammy nominees for Best African Music Performance: Burna Boy (“Love”), Davido ft. Omah Lay (“With You”), Tyla (“PUSH 2 START”), Ayra Starr ft. Wizkid (“Gimme Dat”), and Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin (“Hope & Love”).
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are officially around the corner, and for us in the motherland, Sunday, 1st February 2026, is the only date that matters. While the world watches the “Big Four,” we have our eyes firmly fixed on the Best African Music Performance category. It is more than just an award; it is a celebration of the sounds that have moved from our local streets to the global stage.
This year’s “Big 5” contenders are a perfect mix of seasoned giants and the “new school” leaders who are currently holding the world in a chokehold. Here is everything you need to know about the songs and the stars vying for that golden gramophone.
Gimme Dat – Ayra Starr Featuring Wizkid
The “Celestial Being” and the “Starboy” teamed up once again for “Gimme Dat,” and the results were pure magic. Released on 25th April 2025, the song samples the iconic “911” by Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige, blending jazzy reggae beats with sultry Afrobeats rhythms. It’s a confident, sensual track where Ayra lists exactly what she needs in a lover—peace of mind and 100% commitment—while Wizkid delivers a breezy, seasoned verse.
Ayra Starr’s journey has been nothing short of meteoric; after becoming the youngest Nigerian artist nominated for a Grammy last year, she returns with even more momentum. Wizkid, a Grammy winner himself for his contribution to Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl,” brings that veteran “Big Wiz” aura to the track, making this collaboration a formidable contender.
Love – Burna Boy
The “City Boy” himself is back in the Grammy conversation with “Love,” a standout track from his eighth studio album, “No Sign of Weakness,” released on 10th July 2025. Produced by Dre Skull, the song is a beautiful, introspective Afro-fusion piece that explores themes of loyalty, self-protection, and genuine devotion. It’s Burna Boy at his most vulnerable, trading his usual high-energy “pon di beats” for a mid-tempo, soulful reflection on who truly stands by you when the lights go out.
Burna is no stranger to the Recording Academy; this nomination brings his career total to a staggering 13 nods over seven consecutive years. Having already won Best Global Music Album in 2021 for “Twice as Tall,” he enters this race as a heavyweight veteran.
With You – Davido Featuring Omah Lay
Released on 18th April 2025 as a highlight of Davido’s fifth studio album, “5ive,” the track is a masterclass in modern Highlife. Inspired by Bright Chimezie’s 1984 hit “Because of English,” the song features a repeating guitar loop and an easy, flirtatious charm that is hard to resist. Davido actually considered scrapping the song initially, but we are so glad he didn’t.
Omah Lay’s aching delivery pairs perfectly with Davido’s tender performance, making this a fan favourite. The nomination builds on Davido’s growing Grammy momentum after his historic three-nomination run last year, while for Omah Lay, it’s another well-earned nod that reinforces his place as one of the genre’s most distinctive voices.
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