
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 âBig Four,â 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 yearâs âBig 5â contenders are a perfect mix of seasoned giants and the ânew schoolâ 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 â Ayra Starr Featuring Wizkid
The âCelestial Beingâ and the âStarboyâ teamed up once again for âGimme Dat,â and the results were pure magic. Released on 25th April 2025, the song samples the iconic â911â by Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige, blending jazzy reggae beats with sultry Afrobeats rhythms. Itâs a confident, sensual track where Ayra lists exactly what she needs in a loverâpeace of mind and 100% commitmentâwhile Wizkid delivers a breezy, seasoned verse.
Ayra Starrâs 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 Beyoncéâs âBrown Skin Girl,â brings that veteran âBig Wizâ aura to the track, making this collaboration a formidable contender.
Love â Burna Boy
The âCity Boyâ himself is back in the Grammy conversation with âLove,â a standout track from his eighth studio album, âNo Sign of Weakness,â 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. Itâs Burna Boy at his most vulnerable, trading his usual high-energy âpon di beatsâ 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 âTwice as Tall,â he enters this race as a heavyweight veteran.
With You â Davido Featuring Omah Lay
Released on 18th April 2025 as a highlight of Davidoâs fifth studio album, â5ive,â the track is a masterclass in modern Highlife. Inspired by Bright Chimezieâs 1984 hit âBecause of English,â 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 didnât.
Omah Layâs aching delivery pairs perfectly with Davidoâs tender performance, making this a fan favourite. The nomination builds on Davidoâs growing Grammy momentum after his historic three-nomination run last year, while for Omah Lay, itâs another well-earned nod that reinforces his place as one of the genreâs most distinctive voices.
PUSH 2 START â Tyla
After making history as the inaugural winner of this category 2024 with âWater,â South African sensation Tyla is looking for a back-to-back victory with âPUSH 2 START.â
Released on 11th October 2024 as part of her TYLA + deluxe album, the song uses car metaphors to navigate the thrills of attraction and commitment. Itâs a flawless blend of Amapiano, Pop, and R&B that has already dominated the Billboard and UK Afrobeats charts.
Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin â Hope & Love
Adding a unique, cross-cultural flavour to the category is âHope & Love,â a collaboration between Ugandaâs Eddy Kenzo and Iranian artist Mehran Matin. Released on 13th August 2025, the song is an uplifting Afrobeat anthem designed to unite hearts across borders. Featuring the joyful energy of the Masaka Kids Africana, the track is a reminder that music is a universal language that shines brightest in the darkness.
Eddy Kenzo remains a pioneer for East African music on the global stage. This isnât his first rodeo; he made history in 2023 as the first Ugandan artist to be nominated for a Grammy. His return to the category with Mehran Matin shows that his mission to âspread loveâ through music is far from over.
Did You Know?
The Best African Music Performance category is relatively new. It was created in June 2023 and first awarded in 2024 to recognise recordings that utilise unique local expressions from across the continent. The Recording Academy established this dedicated space to acknowledge the massive global impact of genres like Afrobeats, Amapiano, Highlife, and Bongo Flava.
The post Burna Boy, Davido, Tyla, Ayra Starr & Eddy Kenzo: Meet the 2026 Grammy Best African Music Contenders appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.