South African singer Tyla has won the award for Best African Music Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, marking her second victory in the category since its inception.
The announcement was made during the 2026 ceremony held Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena. The 24-year-old artist clinched the trophy with her song “Push 2 Start,” a track from the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut album.
Tyla previously made history as the inaugural winner of the category in 2024 for her global hit single “Water,” cementing her position as a trailblazer for African pop music on the world stage.
The South African star faced stiff competition from a nominee list dominated by Nigerian heavyweights. Other contenders included Burna Boy for “Love,” Davido featuring Omah Lay for “With You,” Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid for “Gimme Dat,” and Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin for “Hope & Love.”
The Recording Academy praised the night’s honorees for their cultural influence across generations and genres.
“These honorees are an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres, and the very foundation of modern music,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy.
While official acceptance remarks for Tyla’s 2026 win have not been widely circulated, her victory further confirms her status as one of Africa’s most influential global pop exports.
“I never thought I’d say I won a Grammy at 22,” Tyla previously said while reflecting on her Grammy journey.
Her latest win follows the 2025 victory by Nigerian star Tems, returning the award to South Africa. The ceremony also coincided with a historic weekend for African music, including a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award for Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti.
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