South African global star Tyla has strengthened her reputation as one of Africa’s defining musical talents after winning the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for a second time at the 2026 ceremony.
Her victory for the song Push 2 Start makes her the first artist to claim the category twice since it was introduced in 2024, marking a historic milestone for African music on the global stage.
At just 24, Tyla overcame strong competition from some of Nigeria’s biggest Afrobeats names, including Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Omah Lay, and Ayra Starr, as well as Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo. The track has been widely praised for blending pop, R&B, and Amapiano, building on its earlier success at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
The award represents a full circle moment for the singer, who first won the prize in 2024 at the age of 22 for her international hit Water, becoming the youngest ever recipient in the category.
Speaking to media on the red carpet in Los Angeles on February 1, Tyla revealed she learned of her win moments after arriving late to the ceremony, discovering the news in the venue lobby. Despite the unusual moment, she expressed deep gratitude to her team and supporters.
She said the recognition was not only personal, but symbolic for African artists worldwide, highlighting the growing global influence of African pop music and its power to inspire young creatives across the continent and in the diaspora.
The 2026 Grammys also celebrated African musical heritage, with legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously, becoming the first African artist to earn the honour.