It was meant to be a night of celebration, a "coronation" for the kings and queens of Afrobeats. But by the time the curtains closed at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles last night, Nigerian fans were left with a bitter taste in their mouths.
Despite a massive year for Nigerian music, the 2026 Grammys turned into a "No-Win" zone for the Giants of Africa.
The Category That Broke the Internet
All eyes were on the Best African Music Performance category. We had the heavyweights in the ring:
Davido & Omah Lay ("With You")
Burna Boy ("Love")
Ayra Starr & Wizkid ("Gimme Dat")
But for the second time in three years, South Africa's Tyla walked away with the trophy for her hit "Push 2 Start." 🇿🇦
Davido’s Heartbreak & Burna’s Snub
The pain is hitting Davido fans the hardest. This was "001's" big moment after an incredible run, but the Grammy drought continues. Meanwhile, Burna Boy, who was also nominated for Best Global Music Album with "No Sign of Weakness," lost out to Brazilian legends Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia.
For the first time in a long time, Nigeria—the powerhouse of African music—went home empty-handed in all major categories.
The Silver Lining: A Legend Honored 🕊️
The only bright spot for Nigeria was the posthumous recognition of the Abami Eda himself. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. It took the Recording Academy decades to recognize his impact, but as they say, "Fela never dies."
Why Did We Lose?
Social media is currently on fire with theories.
The "Tyla" Factor: Tyla’s sound blends Amapiano with Pop in a way that the Western Academy clearly finds "easier" to digest.
The "Afrobeats Fatigue": Is the Grammy academy getting tired of the dominant Naija sound?
Internal Competition: Did having so many big Nigerian songs in one category split the vote, allowing Tyla to slide through the middle?
🗣️ NAIJA, LET’S TALK!
We are hurting, but we move. However, we need to address the elephant in the room:
Was Davido "Robbed" again? * Does the Grammy Academy have an agenda against Afrobeats?
Is it time we stop caring about the Grammys and focus on our own awards like the Headies?
DROP YOUR COMMENTS BELOW! 👇 Let the venting begin!
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