By SUNTV Global | February 2, 2026
South African pop star Tyla has made history once again at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, clinching the Best African Music Performance prize and defeating a star-studded lineup that included Nigeria’s Davido, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr.
The awards ceremony took place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where the 24-year-old singer emerged victorious with her hit single “Push 2 Start.”
With the win, Tyla becomes the first artiste to claim the Best African Music Performance award twice since the category was introduced by the Recording Academy in 2024. She previously won the inaugural award with her global smash “Water,” a track that propelled her to international fame.
The category was created to celebrate recordings that authentically represent African musical styles, sounds, and cultural expression, and it has quickly become one of the most anticipated Grammy categories across Africa and the diaspora.
Tyla’s latest winning track, Push 2 Start, is taken from her self-titled debut album Tyla, released in 2024. The song blends amapiano rhythms with pop and R&B influences, earning massive traction on streaming platforms and going viral through dance challenges on social media.
Lyrically, the track explores themes of romance, confidence, and independence, further solidifying Tyla’s artistic identity and global appeal.
This year’s competition was particularly intense, with Nigeria dominating the nominations. Davido earned a nod for With You featuring Omah Lay, Burna Boy was nominated for Love, while Ayra Starr made the shortlist with Gimme Dat featuring Wizkid. Other nominees included Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo (Hope & Love) and Mehran Matin.
Despite the strong Nigerian presence, Tyla once again stood out, underscoring her growing influence in the global music industry.
Since emerging from Johannesburg and signing an international record deal in 2021, Tyla has enjoyed a rapid rise—achieving a top-25 debut on the Billboard 200, multiple international chart successes, and now, back-to-back Grammy wins.
The 68th Grammy Awards also marked a historic moment for African music, as legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti was posthumously honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, reinforcing Africa’s lasting impact on global music culture.
For Tyla, the latest Grammy victory is not just another award—it is a powerful statement of Africa’s evolving sound and its growing dominance on the world stage.
