The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, was a night defined by historical breakthroughs and a changing of the guard. Hosted by Trevor Noah for his sixth and final time, the ceremony marked the end of an era for CBS (which aired the show for the last time before its move to Disney) and a massive leap forward for global representation.

The 2026 Grammys was a significant night for African music, highlighted by a repeat victory for one of the continent’s brightest stars and a historic posthumous honor for a legend.

Tyla’s Back-to-Back Win

For the second time in three years, South African sensation Tyla dominated the Best African Music Performance category. She took home the trophy for her hit single “Push 2 Start,” following her inaugural win in 2024 for “Water.”

Her victory came against a powerhouse list of nominees, once again sparking conversation as she edged out several major Nigerian artists:

• Burna Boy – “Love”

• Davido ft. Omah Lay – “With You”

• Ayra Starr ft. Wizkid – “Gimme Dat”

• Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin – “Hope & Love”

Fela Kuti: A Historic Milestone

In a deeply emotional moment during the Special Merit Awards, the late Fela Kuti made history as the first African artist to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His children—Femi, Yeni, Kunle, and Shalewa Kuti—accepted the honor on his behalf. The Academy recognized the “Father of Afrobeat” for his immense influence on global music and his legacy as a political radical who shaped the sound of modern Africa.

While Nigerian superstars like Burna Boy and Davido were shut out of the win columns this year, the night belonged to Tyla’s rising pop dynasty and the long-overdue institutional recognition of Fela Kuti’s global impact.

The Big Four: History in the Making

Album of the Year: Bad Bunny

In the biggest moment of the night, Bad Bunny made history as his sixth studio album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, became the first-ever Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year. Presented by 2023 winner Harry Styles, the Puerto Rican superstar delivered an emotional acceptance speech almost entirely in Spanish, dedicating the win to his homeland and the global Latino community.

Record of the Year: Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Kendrick Lamar continued his dominance, winning Record of the Year for “Luther” alongside SZA. The win was preceded by a lighthearted “Steve Harvey” style mix-up by presenter Cher, who initially announced the late Luther Vandross as the winner (the song samples Vandross) before correcting herself. This win helped Kendrick surpass Jay-Z to become the most-awarded hip-hop artist in Grammy history.

Song of the Year: Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas secured their third win in this category for “Wildflower.” The victory tied them for the most Song of the Year wins in history. During her speech, Eilish used the platform to speak on immigrant rights, a recurring theme throughout the night’s more political moments.

Best New Artist: Olivia Dean

British soul singer Olivia Dean took home the Best New Artist trophy following a breakthrough year. She beat out a competitive field that included Addison Rae, Katseye, and The Marías, citing her heritage as the “granddaughter of an immigrant” as the foundation of her bravery and artistry.

Major Category Winners

Highlights & Milestones

• The EGOT Club: Legendary director Steven Spielberg officially achieved EGOT status, winning Best Music Film for producing Music by John Williams.

• K-Pop Breakthrough: The song “Golden” (from KPop Demon Hunters) by Huntrix (Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami) became the first K-pop track to win a Grammy, taking home Best Song Written for Visual Media.

• Gaga’s Dance Floor Return: Lady Gaga enjoyed a major comeback night, winning multiple awards including Best Dance Pop Recording for “Abracadabra.”

• The Cure’s Late Career Surge: Icons The Cure dominated the Alternative categories, winning both Best Alternative Music Album and Best Alternative Music Performance for “Alone.”