South African singer Tyla has won her second Grammy, taking the Best African Music Performance award. The 24-year-old triumphed over four other nominees, including Nigerian stars Davido, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr, as well as Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo.
Her winning track, “Push 2 Start,” impressed judges and audiences alike, following her 2024 victory with the global hit “Water.” In both wins, Tyla outshone several popular Nigerian artists, showing her growing influence in African music.
Fans Celebrate Across Social Media
After the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Tyla expressed her excitement:
“This is insane, this is so insane! I’m just so lucky to be here and I’m so proud to be African. I’m excited to see more of us over here.”
Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages. One user on X wrote, “South Africa is proud of you! We are proud of you!” Another admitted that while they had hoped Ayra Starr would win, Tyla’s hard work deserved recognition: “You deserve it.”
Best African Music Performance Nominees
The full list of nominees included:
- Love – Burna Boy
- With You – Davido featuring Omah Lay
- Hope & Love – Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin
- Gimme Dat – Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid
- Push 2 Start – Tyla
Despite the global success of Afrobeats, Nigerian artists were left without wins in this category.
Other Highlights for African Artists
Some Nigerian stars were nominated in other Grammy categories. Burna Boy competed for Best Global Music Album, alongside Senegalese legend Youssou N’Dour, while Angelique Kidjo earned a nod for Best Global Music Performance. Neither walked away with the statuette.
However, one Nigerian icon did receive recognition: Fela Kuti was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, 29 years after his passing.
Trevor Noah Shines as Host
Another South African, comedian Trevor Noah, hosted the main ceremony for the sixth and final time. His humor drew attention, though US President Donald Trump has threatened legal action after a joke involving him and Jeffrey Epstein.
