These are not the best of times for Nigerian music superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as he lost out at the 2026 Grammy Awards to South African sensation, Tyla.
Tyla clinched the Best African Music Performance award, edging out Davido, fondly called O.B.O (Omo Baba Olowo) in a tightly contested category that celebrated the continent’s finest sounds.
The South African star won the coveted prize with her hit track “Push 2 Start,” defeating strong contenders from Nigeria, including Burna Boy with “Love,” Ayra Starr and Wizkid with “Gimme Dat,” Davido’s collaboration with Omah Lay “With You,” as well as “Hope & Love” by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin.
Introduced to spotlight African music on the global stage, the category once again underscored Nigeria’s dominance, with three Nigerian acts making the final shortlist, further cementing the country’s influence in the global music scene despite the night’s outcome.
