Nigerian Talent Dominates 68th Grammy Nominations
Nigerian musical artists are once again making a significant global impact, with five of the nation's superstars securing nominations at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The prestigious ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, following the nominations announcement on November 7, 2025.
Leading the charge is Burna Boy, who garnered two nominations. His track 'Love' is recognized in the Best African Music Performance category, while his album 'No Sign of Weakness' is nominated for Best Global Music Album. Burna Boy continues to solidify his position as the most Grammy-nominated Nigerian artist, accumulating over 10 nominations since 2020.
Other prominent Nigerian artists receiving nods include Davido, nominated for 'With You' featuring Omah Lay in the Best African Music Performance category. Ayra Starr also earned a nomination in the same category for her song 'Gimme Dat,' which features Wizkid. Both Omah Lay and Wizkid are recognized through their collaborations, highlighting the collaborative spirit and widespread influence of Nigerian music.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
In a historic moment for African music, the legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has been posthumously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy. This makes him the first African artist to receive this esteemed recognition.
The award was presented at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2026, in Los Angeles, a day prior to the main Grammy event. Fela Kuti's children, Yeni, Femi, and Kunle Kuti, accepted the award on his behalf. The Recording Academy described Fela as 'an architect of Afrobeat' and honored him for his enduring influence that continues to shape music across continents. He joins a distinguished list of 2026 Special Merit Award recipients, including Whitney Houston, Cher, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Bernie Taupin, Eddie Palmieri, Sylvia Rhone, and John Chowning.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu paid tribute to Fela Kuti, acknowledging him as a 'fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound.' This posthumous recognition underscores Fela Kuti's profound and lasting impact on global music and his foundational role in the evolution of Afrobeats.
Afrobeats' Growing Global Influence
The significant number of nominations for Nigerian artists and the historic recognition of Fela Kuti underscore the burgeoning global influence of Afrobeats and African music. This year's Grammy Awards are set to further spotlight Nigeria's vibrant music scene and its increasing dominance on the international stage.
6 Comments
Loubianka
What a time to be Nigerian! Our music is globally celebrated and respected.
Eugene Alta
Seeing artists like Burna Boy and Davido get Grammy nods is thrilling for the culture. But we should also critically examine the criteria and representation within these awards to ensure true equity, not just spotlighting a few.
Noir Black
Fela's award is long overdue, but it's sad he couldn't receive it in his lifetime. Why now?
KittyKat
Afrobeats is unstoppable! These nominations prove its growing dominance worldwide.
Katchuka
While the nominations are a source of national pride and show global reach, it's important to remember the vast talent pool in Nigeria and Africa that still struggles for international exposure beyond these major awards.
BuggaBoom
Don't get me wrong, it's good, but let's not pretend this completely validates the Grammys' history with non-Western music.