The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are almost here, and if you are anything like us, your group chats are already buzzing with predictions. It is officially that time of year when we stay up into the early hours of Monday morning, fueled by caffeine and pure patriotism, to see our favourites take home the gold. This year’s ceremony is particularly special for the continent, as the Best African Music Performance category returns for its third year, proving that the world is well and truly listening to our sound.

This year, the ceremony returns to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, 1 February 2026. Taking the stage as our host for the sixth and final time is the brilliant Trevor Noah. Knowing this is his farewell hosting gig, we are expecting plenty of laughs, heart, and perhaps a few surprises before he takes his final bow.

For the Nigerian and African audience, the stakes are incredibly high. The Best African Music Performance category is packed with talent, featuring Burna Boy (“Love”), Davido featuring Omah Lay (“With You”), Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid (“Gimme Dat”), South Africa’s Tyla (“PUSH 2 START”), and Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo (“Hope & Love”). Additionally, Burna Boy is eyeing more gold with a nomination for Best Global Music Album for “No Sign of Weakness.”

Who’s On Stage?

This year’s performance roster is a mix of pop icons and groundbreaking collaborations. Lady Gaga, nominated for seven awards including Album of the Year for MAYHEM, leads the charge alongside Justin Bieber, who makes his highly anticipated return to the Grammy stage after four years.

Fans can also look forward to sets from Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler, the Creator, Rosé, and a special joint performance by Clipse and Pharrell Williams. Keeping with tradition, all eight Best New Artist nominees—including Addison Rae, KATSEYE, and Leon Thomas—will deliver a high-energy medley. The night will also feature heavy-hitting tributes, including Ms. Lauryn Hill honouring D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, and a rock salute to Ozzy Osbourne featuring Post Malone, Slash, and Chad Smith.

The star power extends to the presenters, with a massive lineup including Harry Styles, Charli xcx, Chappell Roan, Queen Latifah, Teyana Taylor, and Jeff Goldblum

When and Where to Watch

The main ceremony kicks off at 02:00 WAT on Monday, 2 February. For the night owls and dedicated fans, the Grammy Premiere Ceremony—where many of the African categories are typically announced—starts earlier on Sunday at 21:30 WAT and can be streamed live on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel or live.GRAMMY.com.

For the main event, DStv subscribers can tune in to 1Magic (Channel 103) or M-Net (Channel 101) for the live broadcast. If you prefer streaming, Paramount+ will be showing the ceremony live (Premium subscribers), and you can always follow the real-time updates and “Best Dressed” galleries right here on BellaNaija.

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Photo Credit: Fela Anikulapo Kuti/Instagram

Decades after his passing, Fela Anikulapo–Kuti is set to be honoured on one of music’s biggest stages. The legendary Afrobeat pioneer will receive a Special Merit Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, recognising the lasting impact of his work on global music.

The honour will be presented at the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards ceremony on January 31, 2026, during Grammy Week, a day before the main awards show. Fela will be celebrated alongside an impressive group of music greats including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher and Paul Simon.

While Fela never won a Grammy during his lifetime, his influence has continued to resonate far beyond his era. In 2025, his 1976 album “Zombie” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, with the award accepted by his sons, Femi and Seun Kuti, a moment that reaffirmed just how far his music has travelled.

Announcing the honourees on Instagram, the Recording Academy described Fela as follows: “An architect of Afrobeat, honored for a lifetime of influence. Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician, producer, arranger, political radical, activist, and the father of Afrobeat. In the 1960s, he created the genre by combining funk, jazz, salsa, calypso, and a blend of traditional Nigerian rhythms.”

The Academy also spoke about the reach of his legacy, noting: “His influence spans generations, shaping modern Nigerian Afrobeats and inspiring global artists such as Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, and Thom Yorke. His legacy continues to live on not only through music, but through his family and through the Kalakuta Museum and the New Afrika Shrine.”

With this recognition, Fela joins a distinguished list of past Special Merit Award recipients including Whitney Houston, Cher, Paul Simon, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana, Sylvia Rhone, John Chowning, Eddie Palmieri and Bernie Taupin.

As the 2026 Grammy Awards approach, Nigerian stars are back in the mix. Burna Boy is up for Best African Music Performance with “Love” and Best Global Music Album with “No Sign of Weakness,” while Davido earns a nod for “With You” featuring Omah Lay in the Best African Music Performance category. Ayra Starr and Wizkid also make the list with “Gimme Dat.”

 

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Photo Credit: Tems/Instagram

The GRAMMY Awards are getting a refresh in 2026, with the Recording Academy introducing two brand new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. This exciting update reflects the ever-evolving musical landscape and aims to honour a broader spectrum of creative talent.

These additions also bring fresh excitement for fans and creators alike. Whether you’re a country enthusiast or a vinyl lover drawn to striking visuals, the new categories invite a broader audience to see themselves reflected on music’s biggest stage.

“Whether you’re a country fan or a vinyl collector who loves stunning album covers, there’s a new GRAMMY category with your name on it,” the Recording Academy teased.

Speaking to GRAMMY.com, CEO Harvey Mason jr. explained the motivation behind the changes: “Each year during our Awards & Nominations review, our focus is on refining our rules, uncovering anything that is no longer working, and ensuring we are celebrating our creative community in the most meaningful way,” he said.

“I’m thrilled that many of this year’s changes … allow us to honour even more creators. That’s always a positive outcome for me. But even more importantly, these are much-needed updates that ensure those who are making significant contributions to the musical process are properly recognised and have the opportunity to be celebrated on Music’s Biggest Night.”

One of the most notable additions is Best Album Cover, a category that acknowledges the power of visual storytelling in today’s digital-first world. “In today’s digital world, album covers are arguably more impactful than ever,” Mason jr. continued.

“Their cultural significance is undeniable. That’s one of the reasons members of the art director community and our Awards & Nominations members felt [the Best Album Cover] category was necessary. The Packaging Field has always thrived, but we expect this to be one of our most inclusive categories to date.”

The country genre is also receiving a more nuanced platform. The existing Best Country Album category will now be renamed Best Contemporary Country Album, making room for the newly established Best Traditional Country Album. This shift acknowledges the genre’s ongoing evolution and also the resurgence of its roots.

“Country music has evolved in a major way over the past decade, with traditional country experiencing a massive resurgence, growing in popularity and volume,” Mason jr. said. “This action by our members now opens the door for us to celebrate more artists and a wider range of music. By adding this new Category and renaming the Country Album Category, we’re creating more space for all the diverse artists who are shaping the future of country music.”

These changes come on the heels of a landmark 2025 GRAMMYs ceremony. Kendrick Lamar took home five awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Not Like Us.” Meanwhile, Tems took home award (her second Grammy win) for Best African Music Performance for her hit “Love Me JeJe,” and Beyoncé made history with her long-awaited Album of the Year win for “Cowboy Carter,” which she dedicated to trailblazing country artist Linda Martell.

The 2026 GRAMMYs will take place on Sunday, February 1 in Los Angeles, with nominations set to be announced on Friday, November 7, 2025.

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