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The Best African Music Performance category at the 68th Grammy Awards was one of the most competitive and conversation-starting moments of the night. Packed with some of Africa’s biggest and most influential names, the category showcased the continent’s musical diversity and global reach.
The nominees were nothing short of elite:
- Burna Boy – Love
- Davido feat. Omah Lay – With You
- Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin – Hope & Love
- Ayra Starr feat. Wizkid – Gimme Dat
- Tyla – Push 2 Start
source video: @calinisworldwide
When Tyla was announced as the winner, social media erupted. Accusations of industry favoritism, claims that she was an “industry plant,” and allegations that the Grammys were rigged quickly took over online discourse. But when emotions are set aside and the facts are examined, the outcome becomes much clearer.
Popularity vs. Grammy Metrics
There’s no denying that Davido remains one of the most popular African artists globally, especially in Africa and the UK. However, Grammy wins are not based purely on fan popularity or cultural dominance. The Recording Academy heavily considers measurable performance, global reach, industry impact, and chart statistics—and this is where Tyla stood out.
Streaming and Platform Breakdown
Across overall streaming numbers, Tyla’s Push 2 Start was significantly ahead:
- Total streams (all platforms)
- Tyla: 614+ million
- Davido: 212+ million
That gap alone speaks volumes.
Spotify
- Tyla: 445+ million streams
- Davido: 101+ million streams
YouTube
- Tyla: 258 million views
- Davido: 52 million views
TikTok
This was the one platform that tilted public perception.
- Davido feat. Omah Lay: 4.2 million creations
- Tyla: 3.8 million creations
Despite Davido’s stronger TikTok presence, TikTok alone does not outweigh dominance across multiple platforms.
Shazam
- Tyla: 2.5 million mentions
- Davido: 1.8 million mentions
Apple Music Charts
- Tyla: Top 10 in 15+ countries
- Davido: Top 20 in 30+ countries
Chart Performance and Market Impact
On the Billboard Afrobeats charts (USA), Tyla charted for multiple weeks and went a step further by debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 88, a major milestone that significantly boosts Grammy visibility.
Davido’s With You had a massive regional impact:
- No. 1 on the TurnTable Official Nigeria Top 100
- No. 4 on the UK Billboard Afrobeats chart
- Top 10 on the Billboard Afrobeats USA year-end chart (2025)
In summary, Davido dominated Nigeria and the UK, while Tyla broke deeper into the U.S. market, which remains the most influential territory for Grammy recognition.
Additionally, Tyla’s deal with Epic Records (Sony Music Entertainment) placed her in a strong global promotional and industry position, further amplifying her visibility during Grammy voting season.
A Category Worth Rethinking?
In my opinion, the Best African Music Performance category could benefit from clearer distinctions. Tyla leans more into global pop, while artists like Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, and Tems are deeply rooted in Afrobeats and African soundscapes.
A category that prioritizes African chart dominance alongside global impact would give more room for artists who lead the continent culturally while still resonating worldwide.
Supporting Our Own Awards Matters
Beyond the Grammys, Africa already has powerful platforms that deserve stronger support from the youth and the industry:
- All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) – in collaboration with the African Union, celebrating unity and diversity
- African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) – held in the USA, spotlighting African talent globally
- MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) – recognizing contemporary African artists
- Trace Awards & Festival – honoring Afro-centric musicians worldwide
- Global Music Awards Africa (GMAA) – discovering and celebrating excellence across the continent
National and Regional Awards Worth Celebrating
- Nigeria: Headies, Soundcity MVP Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards
- South Africa: South African Music Awards (SAMA), SA Hip Hop Awards
- Ghana: Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, 3Music Awards
- Others: Tanzania Music Awards, Namibia Annual Music Awards, Star FM Music Awards (Zimbabwe)
These platforms celebrate genres ranging from Afrobeats and Amapiano to Highlife, Kwaito, and Congolese Rumba.
If Africans invest the same energy into supporting these institutions, the global music industry will have no choice but to accord African awards—and African music—the respect they deserve.
At the end of the day, Tyla’s Grammy win wasn’t about favoritism. It was about numbers, reach, and timing—and by those standards, she was simply a step ahead.
source of image: @dailyexpresskenya
