The Recording Academy has officially unveiled the nominees for the 2026 GRAMMY® Awards, with African artists making a powerful statement across multiple categories. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with a global broadcast on CBS and streaming via Paramount+.

One of the most closely watched categories, Best African Music Performance, is led by Nigerian stars. Burna Boy earns a nomination for “Love,” while Davido and Omah Lay are recognised for their collaboration “With You.” The category also features “Gimme Dat” by Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid, underscoring Nigeria’s continued dominance on the global Afrobeats stage. Expanding the continental reach, Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo teams up with Mehran Matin on “Hope & Love,” while South African pop powerhouse Tyla rounds out the list with “Push 2 Start.”

Beyond Afrobeats, African excellence is equally represented in global music categories. Angélique Kidjo, the legendary Beninese singer and long-time GRAMMY favourite, receives a nomination for Best Global Music Performance with “Jerusalema,” further cementing her enduring influence. Meanwhile, Burna Boy adds to his historic run with a nomination for Best Global Music Album for No Sign of Weakness, marking his 11th GRAMMY® nomination to date. He shares the category with Senegalese icon Youssou N’Dour, whose album Éclairer le monde (Light the World) has also been recognised for its cultural and global impact.

The nominations also spotlight genre-blending success stories from the African diaspora. Nigerian-American artist Shaboozey earns two nominations in the country categories, with “Good News” up for Best Country Solo Performance, and “Amen” featuring Jelly Roll nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance — a testament to the growing crossover between African-rooted artists and American genres.

This year’s nominations reflect the continued rise of African and African-inspired sounds worldwide. From Afrobeats and global music to country and pop, artists from the continent and its diaspora are no longer on the margins — they are shaping the global music conversation in real time.