South African pop sensation Tyla
South African pop sensation Tyla has emerged winner of the Best African Music Performance category at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, once again outshining Nigerian stars Davido, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr in a fiercely competitive field.
The 24-year-old artiste secured the honour with her hit single “Push 2 Start,” earning her second career win in the category.
Tyla previously made history in 2024 when she won the inaugural award with her global breakout song “Water,” becoming the first artiste to claim the title twice since the category was introduced.
Her latest Grammy triumph further cements her growing influence on the global music scene and underscores her status as one of Africa’s most successful contemporary pop exports.
The Best African Music Performance category, created in 2024, is designed to celebrate recordings that highlight African sounds, rhythms and cultural expression on the world stage.
“Push 2 Start,” a track from her self-titled debut album Tyla released in 2024, gained massive traction across streaming platforms and social media, fueled by viral dance challenges. The song stands out for its seamless fusion of amapiano grooves, polished pop production and themes of romance and self-assurance, a blend that has become Tyla’s signature sound.
This year’s category was heavily contested, with nominees including Burna Boy (Love), Davido featuring Omah Lay (With You), Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid (Gimme Dat), and Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin (Hope & Love). Beyond Tyla’s personal victory, the 2026 Grammys were significant for African music as a whole, coming alongside the posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed on legendary Nigerian icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti, reinforcing Africa’s enduring cultural impact on the global music industry.
