The 68th Annual Grammy Awards took place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, hosted by South African-born comedian Trevor Noah in his final year as presenter of music’s biggest night.
The ceremony celebrated global music excellence, spanning genres from hip-hop and pop to rock, Latin and African music. While international stars dominated major categories with Bad Bunny’s historic Album of the Year win and Kendrick Lamar’s record-setting night — African music and artists also marked the evening with noteworthy moments and milestones.
Tyla With the Win for Africa
South African star Tyla won the Best African Music Performance award again for her track “Push 2 Start” — her second Grammy in this category since it was introduced in 2024. She beat a strong field that included Burna Boy, Davido & Omah Lay, and Ayra Starr & Wizkid.
Historic Recognition for Fela Kuti
Legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was posthumously honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the first African artist to receive this prestigious accolade. This tribute recognises his creation of Afrobeat and his huge influence on global music and culture.
Family members accepted the honour on his behalf, marking a proud moment for African music history.
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Other Global Highlights
At the global stage, Bad Bunny won Album of the year while Kendrick Lamar dominated the rap category. British star, Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist.
