South African singer Tyla has won her second Grammy Award, securing the Best African Music Performance title at the 2026 Grammy Awards and once again asserting her growing dominance on the global music stage.
The 24-year-old artiste took home the prestigious award for her hit song “Push 2 Start,” beating strong competition from four other African acts, including three Nigerian superstars and one Ugandan singer. The category featured songs from Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, and Eddy Kenzo, making it one of the most hotly contested awards of the night.
Tyla’s victory follows her historic win in 2024, when she clinched the same award with her global breakout single “Water.” That win also saw her edge out several Nigerian artists, marking the beginning of her remarkable Grammy journey.
Reacting emotionally after the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Tyla expressed gratitude and pride in representing the continent on a global platform.
“This is insane, this is so insane! I’m just so lucky to be here and I’m so proud to be African. I’m excited to see more of us over here,” she said.
Following her win, congratulatory messages flooded social media, with “Congratulations Tyla” trending across South Africa and beyond. Many fans praised her consistency, talent, and impact on African music’s global recognition.
One social media user wrote, “South Africa is proud of you! We are proud of you!”
Another fan, while rooting for Nigeria’s Ayra Starr, acknowledged Tyla’s achievement, stating, “You deserve it.”
Nominees for Best African Music Performance
- Love – Burna Boy
- With You – Davido featuring Omah Lay
- Hope & Love – Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin
- Gimme Dat – Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid
- Push 2 Start – Tyla (Winner)
Despite the global success and influence of Afrobeats, the category ended in disappointment for many Nigerian music lovers, as none of the country’s nominees walked away with the award this year.
Nevertheless, Tyla’s back-to-back Grammy wins highlight the expanding global reach of African music and signal a new era of continental representation at the world’s biggest music awards.
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