African songs, albums and artists most likely to score 2026 Grammy Awards nominations
Posted by Fred.mie on October 9, 2025
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As anticipation builds for the 2026 Grammy Awards, several African artists are making bold moves with standout songs already generating major buzz and industry attention for possible nominations.
African artists are gearing up for what could be their most defining Grammy season yet. With the 68th Annual Grammy Awards set for February 1, 2026, this year’s race is shaping up to be a major turning point, not just for individual artists but for the continent’s entire global music movement.
Following the success of the Best African Music Performance (BAMP) category, introduced in 2024, African acts are no longer content with just winning regional or genre-specific honors. They’re now going for the biggest prizes in music, Album of the Year (AOTY), Record of the Year (ROTY), and Song of the Year (SOTY), signaling a bold shift toward full recognition on the world stage.
Wizkid’s Morayo
Wizkid is once again in Grammy contention, and this time he’s aiming high. His latest body of work, Morayo, has been submitted for Album of the Yearand Best Global Album, alongside his single Piece of My Heart which has been entered for Record and Song of the Year.
Wizkid’s campaign reflects his ambition to move beyond the Global category and compete head-to-head with pop, rap, and rock heavyweights. Backed by his international reputation and strong label support, Morayo stands out for its polished production, sonic diversity, and global appeal. Still, he’ll face stiff competition from U.S. powerhouses like Kendrick Lamar, making crossover appeal a key factor in whether he breaks through.
Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness
Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness has also been submitted for Album of the Year and Best Global Music Album. The Nigerian superstar is already a Grammy regular, his past nominations and consistent global presence give him a strong edge.
His latest album blends Afro-fusion with world-class production, proving his continued dominance in shaping global perceptions of African music. Even if No Sign of Weakness misses out on AOTY, it’s almost certain to earn a Best Global Album nod. Burna’s track Love has also been submitted for Best African Music Performance (BAMP), maintaining his standing as one of the Academy’s most respected African artists.
Tyla’s Push 2 Start
Tyla, the South African pop sensation who made history with Water, is now back in the mix with Push 2 Start, submitted for Record and Song of the Year. The track, off her deluxe project TYLA+, captures the perfect balance of pop and Amapiano, a sound that has made her one of the most globally recognizable African stars.
The Grammy-winning singer’s clean production, catchy hooks, and chart momentum in the U.S. give her one of the strongest chances at a General Field nomination. Tyla also submitted SHAKE AH, a collaboration with South African producers, which strengthens her presence in the Best African Music Performance race.
Ayra Starr’s Hot Body
Ayra Starr’s Hot Body is another potential Record of the Year dark horse. While its streaming numbers trail some of the competition, the song’s viral explosion during the Grammy voting window gave it a major late boost. It recorded over 18 million streams and nearly 700,000 user-generated videos across platforms, showing just how much traction it gained.
The Mavin Records star’s growing U.S. visibility, coupled with her label’s strong distribution through Republic Records, puts her in a prime position to secure her first General Field nomination.
Predictions for Best African Music Performance (BAMP)
The BAMP category remains the most competitive field for African artists, celebrating songs that successfully blend authentic African sounds with global appeal.
- Wizkid & Ayra Starr – Gimme Dat: A powerhouse duet uniting two generations of Afrobeats excellence. The chemistry, production quality, and visual campaign make this a near-lock for nomination.
- Tyla – Push 2 Start: Her follow-up to Watercarries all the right ingredients, polished vocals, cultural rhythm, and international momentum.
- Burna Boy – Love: A heartfelt, sonically rich track that reinforces Burna’s consistency.
- Uncle Waffles – Wadibusa: A pure Amapiano banger with undeniable cultural weight. Its South African chart dominance and festival appeal give it strong BAMP credentials.
- Asake – Amapiano (feat. Olamide): A proven hitmaker and past nominee, Asake genre-defining sound keeps him firmly in the mix.
This category will likely crown artists who have both local authenticity and strong Western market presence and this is a formula seen in Tyla and Tems’ previous Grammy wins.
How African artists are winning the system
One major reason African acts stand a stronger chance this year is the shift inside the Recording Academy itself. More African professionals, including Davido, have joined as voting members, ensuring a better cultural understanding of the continent’s sound.
Additionally, the U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart now provides measurable proof of African artists’ impact, giving Grammy voters data-backed reasons to consider them seriously in major categories.
Meanwhile, if current trends hold, Africa could make Grammy Awards history in 2026. Tyla seems poised for another Record of the Year nomination, while Wizkid and Burna Boy’s albums could compete in both Album of the Year and Best Global Album.
In the Best African Music Performance field, expect heavy competition between Tyla, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, and Uncle Waffles. This year’s Grammys might finally mark the moment when African artists don’t just participate, they dominate across the board.
Asake Burna Wizkid
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