Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Tyla battle for Grammy glory

African music’s A-listers are set for Sunday’s Grammy Awards, the industry’s biggest global night, with superstars Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr and Tyla hoping to make history in Los Angeles.

All four are angling to add to their trophy cabinets by taking home the gala’s most coveted African award, Best African Music Performance.

On November 7, 2025, Burna Boy received two nominations — Best African Music Performance for “Love” and Best Global Music Album for No Sign of Weakness — making him the highest-nominated African artist in the cycle.

Other Nigerian stars on the list include Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid, alongside continental heavyweights such as Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), Tyla (South Africa) and Youssou N’Dour (Senegal).

In the Best African Music Performance category, Nigeria’s dominance was unmistakable, with “Love” by Burna Boy, “With You” by Davido featuring Omah Lay, and “Gimme Dat” by Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid all nominated.

Other contenders include “Hope & Love” by Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin, and “PUSH 2 START” by South Africa’s Tyla.

Tyla seeks her second trophy, having won the inaugural Grammy Award for the same category at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024 for her hit single “Water.”

Tyla wins best Best Afrobeats, “PUSH 2 START” at the VMAs. Photo credit: X

Her entry this year, “PUSH 2 START,” stands out as the most successful.

It topped the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for 20 non-consecutive weeks, held No. 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles chart, and debuted at No. 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

It has achieved certifications, including platinum in Brazil and New Zealand, as well as gold in multiple countries.

The song also won Best Afrobeats at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.

“With You” by Davido featuring Omah Lay is also strong domestically and regionally, and may produce the If crooner’s first Grammy.

FILE: Davido

The song hit No. 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles chart, peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart, debuted at No. 1 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100, and amassed over 100 million streams on Spotify.

It won Most Iconic African Song at the 2025 AMAN Awards and marked Davido’s fifth Grammy nomination overall.

For “Gimme Dat,” the energetic collaboration between Ayra Starr and Wizkid gained solid traction, peaking at No. 3 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100 and surpassing 50 million total Spotify streams.

A file photo: Nigerian pop sensation Ayra Starr.

Starr, a two-time Grammy nominee, and Wizkid, a six-time Grammy nominee with 1 prior win, may also take the win on Sunday.

A file photo: Nigerian singer Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid

Burna Boy’s hit “Love,” from his album No Sign of Weakness, also reached No. 1 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100, No. 2 on the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart, and No. 4 on the UK Afrobeats Singles chart.

He seeks to extend his record, having amassed a total of 13 nominations, and previously won for Twice As Tall at the 63rd Grammy Awards ceremony.

Photo of Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy

With such strong entries, the Best African Music Performance category promises a historic moment for the continent’s music scene, regardless of who takes home the prize.