African Representation: A Defining Force

African artists and those of African descent claimed significant victories and nominations, affirming the continent’s indelible impact on global music.

Best African Music Performance went to South African sensation Tyla for “Push 2 Start”, marking her second consecutive win in the category. She bested a powerhouse lineup:

• “Love” – Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• “With You” – Davido feat. Omah Lay (Nigeria)
• “Gimme Dat” – Ayra Starr feat. Wizkid (Nigeria)
• “Hope & Love” – Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin (Uganda)

Tyla’s victory underscores Amapiano’s global ascent and her personal dominance.

In a profoundly historic moment, Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti received the Lifetime Achievement Award—the first ever for an African artist. His children accepted on his behalf, paying tribute to his revolutionary legacy.

Nigerian-American breakout Shaboozey won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen” (with Jelly Roll). His acceptance speech resonated deeply: “Immigrants literally built this country,” a timely statement amid ongoing debates.

Additional nominations highlighted Africa’s breadth:

• Burna Boy – Best Global Music Album (No Sign of Weakness)
• Angélique Kidjo (Benin) – Best Global Music Performance
• Youssou N’Dour (Senegal) – Best Global Music Album

These moments reflect the Recording Academy’s commitment to inclusivity, as African rhythms continue to reshape mainstream genres.

Key Winners in Major Categories

Across 95 categories, the night featured surprises and sweeps. Here are highlights from the General Field and select others:

Notable cross-genre wins included Lady Gaga for “Abracadabra” (multiple categories) and genre-blending recognition like Shaboozey’s country triumph.

Standout Highlights and Performances

The ceremony dazzled with high-energy performances:

• Lady Gaga → Theatrical spectacle for “Abracadabra”
• Justin Bieber → Emotional return to the Grammy stage
• Rosé & Bruno Mars → Infectious duet on “APT.”
• Sabrina Carpenter and others

Emotional peaks included the Fela Kuti tribute and Shaboozey’s speech. The red carpet showcased bold fashion, with African artists infusing cultural flair.

Trevor Noah’s sharp hosting tied the evening together, blending humor with reverence for music’s unifying power.

The 2026 Grammys proved music transcends borders, with African voices not only present but leading the conversation. As the industry evolves, nights like this signal a truly global era ahead.

Below, find out the complete list of Grammys winners for 2026, updated as the awards are announced.

Best Pop/Duo Group Performance

WINNER: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande: “Defying Gravity”
Huntr/x: “Golden”
Katseye: “Gabriela”
Rosé & Bruno Mars: “Apt.”
SZA With Kendrick Lamar: “30 for 30”

Best Music Video

Clipse: “So Be It”
WINNER: Doechii: “Anxiety”
OK Go: “Love”
Sabrina Carpenter: “Manchild”
Sade: “Young Lion”

Best Song Written for Visual Media

Elton John & Brandi Carlile “Never Too Late (From the Film Elton John: Never Too Late)”
WINNER: Huntr/x: “Golden”
Jayme Lawson: “Pale, Pale Moon”
Miles Caton: “I Lied to You”
Nine Inch Nails: “As Alive as You Need Me to Be”
Rod Wave: “Sinners”

Best Traditional Blues Album

WINNER: Buddy Guy: Ain’t Done With the Blues
Charlie Musselwhite: Look Out Highway
Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Bobby Rush: Young Fashioned Ways
Maria Muldaur: One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey
Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’: Room on the Porch

Best American Roots Performance

Alison Krauss & Union Station: “Richmond on the James”
I’m With Her: “Ancient Light”
Jason Isbell: “Crimson and Clay”
Jon Batiste Featuring Randy Newman: “Lonely Avenue”
WINNER: Mavis Staples: “Beautiful Strangers”

Best Americana Album

Jesse Welles: Middle
WINNER: Jon Batiste: Big Money
Larkin Poe: Bloom
Molly Tuttle: So Long Little Miss Sunshine
Willie Nelson: Last Leaf on the Tree

Best Americana Roots Song

WINNER: I’m With Her: “Ancient Light”
Jason Isbell: “Foxes in the Snow”
Jesse Welles: “Middle”
Jon Batiste: “Big Money”
Sierra Hull: “Spitfire”

Best Americana Performance

Jesse Welles: “Horses”
Maggie Rose & Grace Potter: “Poison in My Well”
WINNER: Mavis Staples: “Godspeed”
Molly Tuttle: “That’s Gonna Leave a Mark”
Sierra Hull: “Boom”

Best Traditional Country Album

Charley Crockett: Dollar a Day
Lukas Nelson: American Romance
Margo Price: Hard Headed Woman
Willie Nelson: Oh What a Beautiful World
WINNER: Zach Top: Ain’t in It for My Health

Best Contemporary Blues Album

Eric Gales: A Tribute to LJK
Joe Bonamassa: Breakthrough
WINNER: Robert Randolph: Preacher Kids
Samantha Fish: Paper Doll
Southern Avenue: Family

Best Country Song

Lainey Wilson: “Somewhere Over Laredo”
Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton: “A Song to Sing”
Shaboozey: “Good News”
WINNER: Tyler Childers: “Bitin’ List”
Zach Top: “I Never Lie”

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

George Strait Featuring Chris Stapleton: “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame”
Margo Price Featuring Tyler Childers: “Love Me Like You Used to Do”
Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton: “A Song to Sing”
Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert & Lainey Wilson: “Trailblazer”
WINNER: Shaboozey & Jelly Roll: “Amen”

Best Country Solo Performance

WINNER: Chris Stapleton: “Bad as I Used to Be”
Lainey Wilson: “Somewhere Over Laredo”
Shaboozey: “Good News”
Tyler Childers: “Nose on the Grindstone”
Zach Top: “I Never Lie”

Best Metal Performance

Dream Theater: “Night Terror”
Ghost: “Lachryma”
Sleep Token: “Emergence”
Spiritbox: “Soft Spine”
WINNER: Turnstile: “Birds”

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album

Marc Marcel: Black Shaman
Omari Hardwick & Anthony Hamilton: Pages
Queen Sheba: A Hurricane in Heels: Healed People Don’t Act Like That (Partially Recorded Live @City Winery & Other Places)
Saul Williams & Carlos Niño & Friends: Saul Williams Meets Carlos Niño & Friends at Treepeople (Live)
WINNER: Skillz: Words for Days, Vol. 1

Best Rap Song

Clipse: “The Birds Don’t Sing” [ft. John Legend, Voices of Fire]
Doechii: “Anxiety”
Glorilla: “TGIF”
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar: “TV Off” [ft. Lefty Gunplay]
Tyler, the Creator: “Sticky” [ft. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne]

Best Melodic Rap Performance

Fridayy & Meek Mill: “Proud of Me”
JID, Ty Dolla $ign & 6lack: “Wholeheartedly”
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar & SZA: “Luther”
PartyNextDoor & Drake: “Somebody Loves Me”
Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon Featuring Rapsody: “WeMaj”

Best Rap Performance

Cardi B: “Outside”
WINNER: Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T & Malice: “Chains & Whips”
Doechii: “Anxiety”
Kendrick Lamar: “TV Off” [ft. Lefty Gunplay]
Tyler, the Creator: “Darling, I” [ft. Teezo Touchdown]

Best R&B Album

Coco Jones: Why Not More?
Giveon: Beloved
Ledisi: The Crown
WINNER: Leon Thomas: Mutt
Teyana Taylor: Escape Room

Best Progressive R&B Album

Bilal: Adjust Brightness
Destin Conrad: Love on Digital
WINNER: Durand Bernarr: Bloom
Flo: Access All Areas
Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon: Come as You Are

Best R&B Song

Chris Brown Featuring Bryson Tiller: “It Depends”
Durand Bernarr: “Overqualified”
WINNER: Kehlani: “Folded”
Leon Thomas: “Yes It Is”
Summer Walker: “Heart of a Woman”

Best Traditional R&B Performance

Durand Bernarr: “Here We Are”
Lalah Hathaway: “Uptown”
Ledisi: “Love You Too”
WINNER: Leon Thomas: “Vibes Don’t Lie”
SZA: “Crybaby”

Best R&B Performance

Chris Brown Featuring Bryson Tiller: “It Depends”
Justin Bieber: “Yukon”
WINNER: Kehlani: “Folded”
Leon Thomas: “Mutt (Live from NPR’s Tiny Desk)”
Summer Walker: “Heart of a Woman”

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical

WINNER: Amy Allen
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Laura Veltz
Tobias Jesso Jr.

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

Blake Mills
WINNER: Cirkut
Dan Auerbach
Dijon
Sounwave

Best Immersive Audio Album

Duckwrth: All American F**k Boy
WINNER: Justin Gray: Immersed
Tearjerkers: Tearjerkers
Trio Mediæval: Yule
Various Artists: An Immersive Tribute to Astor Piazzolla (Live)

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

Alison Krauss & Union Station: Arcadia
Cam: All Things Light
Japanese Breakfast: For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)
WINNER: Pino Palladino & Blake Mills: That Wasn’t a Dream

Best Alternative Music Album

Bon Iver: SABLE, fABLE
WINNER: The Cure: Songs of a Lost World
Hayley Williams: Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party
Tyler, the Creator: Don’t Tap the Glass
Wet Leg: Moisturizer

Best Alternative Music Performance

Bon Iver: “Everything Is Peaceful Love”
WINNER: The Cure: “Alone”
Hayley Williams: “Parachute”
Turnstile: “Seein’ Stars”
Wet Leg: “Mangetout”

Best Rock Album

Deftones: Private Music
Haim: I Quit
Linkin Park: From Zero
WINNER: Turnstile: Never Enough
Yungblud: Idols

Best Rock Performance

Amyl and the Sniffers: “U Should Not Be Doing That”
Hayley Williams: “Mirtazapine”
Linkin Park: “The Emptiness Machine”
Turnstile: “Never Enough”
WINNER: Yungblud, Nuno Bettencourt & Frank Bello Featuring Adam Wakeman & II: Changes (Live From Villa Park / Back to the Beginning)”

Best Rock Song

Hayley Williams: “Glum”
WINNER: Nine Inch Nails: “As Alive as You Need Me to Be”
Sleep Token: “Caramel”
Turnstile: “Never Enough”
Yungblud: “Zombie”

Best Dance Pop Recording

WINNER: Lady Gaga: “Abracadabra”
PinkPantheress: “Illegal”
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco: “Bluest Flame”
Tate McRae: “Just Keep Watching”
Zara Larsson: “Midnight Sun”

Best Music Film

Devo: Devo
Diane Warren: Relentless
WINNER: John Williams: Music by John Williams
Pharrell Williams: Piece by Piece
Raye: Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media

WINNER: Austin Wintory: Sword of the Sea
Gordy Haab: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Pinar Toprak: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Secrets of the Spires
Wilbert Roget, II: Helldivers 2
Wilbert Roget, II & Cody Matthew Johnson: Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card & A Pirate’s Fortune

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television)

John Powell: How to Train Your Dragon
John Powell & Stephen Schwartz: Wicked
Kris Bowers: The Wild Robot
WINNER: Ludwig Göransson: Sinners
Theodore Shapiro: Severance: Season 2

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media

Timothée Chalamet: A Complete Unknown
Various Artists: F1® the Album
Various Artists: KPop Demon Hunters
WINNER: Various Artists: Sinners
Various Artists: Wicked

Best Tropical Latin Album

Alain Pérez: Bingo
Gilberto Santa Rosa: Debut y Segunda Tanda, Vol. 2
WINNER: Gloria Estefan: Raíces
Grupo Niche – Clásicos 1.0
Rubén Blades Featuring Roberto Delgado & Orquesta: Fotografías

Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)

Bobby Pulido: Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya Y una Mía – Por la Puerta Grande (En Vivo)
WINNER: Carín León: Palabra de To’s (Seca)
Fuerza Regida & Grupo Frontera: Mala Mía
Grupo Frontera: Y Lo Que Viene
Paola Jara: Sin Rodeos

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album

Aterciopelados: Genes Rebeldes
Bomba Estéreo, Rawayana & Astropical: Astropical
WINNER: Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso: Papota
Fito Páez: Novela
Los Wizzards: Algorhythm

Best Latin Pop Album

Alejandro Sanz: ¿Y Ahora Qué?
Andrés Cepeda: Bogotá (Deluxe)
Karol G: Tropicoqueta
WINNER: Natalia Lafourcade: Cancionera
Rauw Alejandro: Cosa Nuestra

Best Remixed Recording

The Chemical Brothers & Chris Lake: “Galvanize (Chris Lake Remix)”
Huntr/x & David Guetta: “Golden (David Guetta Rem/x)”
WINNER: Lady Gaga & Gesaffelstein: “Abracadabra (Gesaffelstein Remix)”
Mariah Carey & Kaytranada: “Don’t Forget About Us (Kaytranada Remix)”
Soul II Soul: “A Dreams a Dream (Ron Trent Refix)”

Best Dance/Electronic Album

WINNER: FKA twigs: Eusexua
Fred Again..: Ten Days
PinkPantheress: Fancy That
Rüfüs Du Sol: Inhale / Exhale
Skrillex: F*ck U Skrillex You Think Ur Andy Warhol but Ur Not!! <3

Best Dance/Electronic Recording

Disclosure & Anderson .Paak: “No Cap”
Fred Again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax: “Victory Lap”
Kaytranada: “Space Invader”
Skrillex: “Voltage”
WINNER: Tame Impala: “End of Summer”

Best Historical Album

Doc Pomus: You Can’t Hip a Square: The Doc Pomus Songwriting Demos
WINNER: Joni Mitchell: Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980)
Nick Drake: The Making of Five Leaves Left
Various Artists: Roots Rocking Zimbabwe – The Modern Sound of Harare’ Townships 1975-1980 (Analog Africa No.41)
Various Artists: Super Disco Pirata – De Tepito Para el Mundo 1965-1980 (Analog Africa No.39)

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album

Allison Charney & Benjamin Loeb: Alike – My Mother’s Dream
WINNER: Amanda Forsythe, Robert Mealy, Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs: Telemann: Ino – Opera Arias for Soprano
Devony Smith, Danny Zelibor & Michael Nicolas: In This Short Life
Sidney Outlaw & Warren Jones: Black Pierrot
Susan Narucki & Curtis Macomber: Kurtág: Kafka Fragments
Theo Hoffman & Steven Blier: Schubert Beatles

Best Classical Instrumental Solo

Adam Tendler: “Inheritances”
Curtis Stewart & Michael Repper: “Coleridge-Taylor: 3 Selections From “24 Negro Melodies””
Mary Dawood Catlin, Jesús David Medina & Raniero Palm: “Hope Orchestrated”
WINNER: Yo-Yo Ma & Andris Nelsons – Shostakovich: The Cello Concertos
Yuja Wang & Andris Nelsons – Shostakovich: The Piano Concertos; Solo Works

Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording

WINNER: Dalai Lama: Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Fab Morvan: You Know It’s True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli
Kathy Garver: Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story
Ketanji Brown Jackson: Lovely One: A Memoir
Trevor Noah: Into the Uncut Grass

Best Comedy Album

Ali Wong: Single Lady
Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…
WINNER: Nate Bargatze: Your Friend, Nate Bargatze
Sarah Silverman: PostMortem

Best Children’s Music Album

Flor Bromley: Herstory
WINNER: Fyütch & Aura V: Harmony
Joanie Leeds & Joya: Ageless: 100 Years Young
Mega Ran: Buddy’s Magic Tree House
Tori Amos: The Music of Tori and the Muses

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album

WINNER: Arkai: Brightside
Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda & Antonio Sánchez: BEATrio
Bob James & Dave Koz: Just Us
Charu Suri: Shayan
Gerald Clayton: Ones & Twos

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance

WINNER: Alan Pierson & Alarm Will Sound: “Donnacha Dennehy: Land of Winter”
Lili Haydn & Paul Cantelon: “Lullabies for the Brokenhearted”
Mak Grgić & Mateusz Kowalski: “Slavic Sessions”
Neave Trio: “La mer: French Piano Trios”
Third Coast Percussion: “Standard Stoppages”

Best Choral Performance

Anne Akiko Meyers, Los Angeles Master Chorale & Grant Gershon: “Billy Childs: In the Arms of the Beloved”
The Clarion Choir & Steven Fox: “Requiem of Light”
Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson: “Advena: Liturgies for a Broken World”
The Crossing & David Nally: “David Lang: Poor Hymnal”
WINNER: Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & Alisa Weilerstein: “Gabriela Ortiz: Yanga”

Best Opera Recording

Alan Pierson, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street & Silvana Quartet: “Kouyoumdjian: Adoration (Live)”
American Composers Orchestra & Carolyn Kuan: “Huang Ruo: An American Soldier”
Emily D’Angelo, Ellie Dehn, Ben Bliss, Kyle Miller, Greer Grimsley, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, The Metropolitan Opera Chorus & Yannick Nézet-Séguin: “Tesori: Grounded (Live)”
WINNER: Houston Grand Opera, Kwamé Ryan, Janai Brugger, Jamie Barton & J’Nai Bridges: “Jake Heggie: Intelligence”
Irish National Opera & Elaine Kelly: “O’Halloran: Trade / Mary Motorhead”

Best Orchestral Performance

WINNER: Andris Nelsons & Boston Symphony Orchestra: “Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie”
Esa-Pekka Salonen – San Francisco Symphony: “Stravinsky: Symphony in Three Movements”
Gustavo Dudamel & Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela: “Ravel: Boléro, M. 81”
Michael Repper & National Philharmonic: “Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Toussaint L’Ouverture, Op. 46 – Ballade Op. 4 – Suites From ’24 Negro Melodies’”
Yannick Nézet-Séguin & The Philadelphia Orchestra: “Still & Bonds: Symphonies & Variations”

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

Cody Fry: “What a Wonderful World”
Jacob Collier: “Keep an Eye on Summer”
Lawrence: “Something in the Water (Acoustic-ish)”
WINNER: Nate Smith & Säje: “Big Fish”
Seth MacFarlane: “How Did She Look?”

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella

Cynthia Erivo: “Be Okay”
Nordkraft Big Band & Remy Le Boeuf: “A Child Is Born”
The Westerlies: “Fight On”
WINNER: The 8-Bit Big Band: “Super Mario Praise Break”

Best Instrumental Composition

John Powell & Stephen Schwartz: “Train to Emerald City”
Ludwig Göransson Featuring Miles Caton: “Why You Here / Before the Sun Went Down (From “Sinners” Score)”
Miho Hazama, Danish Radio Big Band & Danish National Symphony Orchestra: “Live Life This Day: Movement I”
WINNER: Nordkraft Big Band, Remy Le Boeuf & Danielle Wertz: “First Snow”
Sierra Hull: “Lord, That’s a Long Way”
Zain Effendi: “Opening”

Producer of the Year, Classical

Blanton Alspaugh
Dmitriy Lipay
WINNER: Elaine Martone
Morten Lindberg
Sergei Kvitko

Best Engineered Album, Classical

Andris Nelsons, Kristine Opolais, Günther Groissböck, Peter Hoare, Brenden Gunnell & Boston Symphony Orchestra: Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District
The Cleveland Orchestra & Franz Welser-Möst: Eastman: Symphony No. 2: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2
WINNER: Sandbox Percussion: Cerrone: Don’t Look Down
Third Coast Percussion: Standard Stoppages
Trio Mediæval: Yule

Best Regional Roots Music Album

Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet: Live at Vaughan’s
Kyle Roussel: Church of New Orleans
Preservation Brass & Preservation Hall Jazz Band: For Fat Man
Trombone Shorty & New Breed Brass Band: Second Line Sunday
WINNER: Various Artists: A Tribute to the King of Zydeco

Best Musical Theater Album

WINNER: Buena Vista Social Club
Death Becomes Her
Gypsy
Just in Time
Maybe Happy Ending

Best Jazz Vocal Album

Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap: Elemental
Michael Mayo: Fly
Nicole Zuraitis, Dan Pugach & Tom Scott Featuring Idan Morim, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth & Sam Weber: Live at Vic’s Las Vegas
WINNER: Samara Joy: Portrait
Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell: We Insist 2025!

Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album

WINNER: Carla Patullo: Nomadica
Cheryl B. Engelhardt & Gem: According to the Moon
Chris Redding: The Colors in My Mind
Jahnavi Harrison: Into the Forest
Kirsten Agresta-Copely: Kuruvinda

Best Reggae Album

Jesse Royal: No Place Like Home
WINNER: Keznamdi: Blxxd & Fyah
Lila Iké: Treasure Self Love
Mortimer: From Within
Vybz Kartel: Heart & Soul

Best Global Music Album

Anoushka Shankar Featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar: Chapter III: We Return to Light
Burna Boy: No Sign of Weakness
WINNER: Caetano Veloso & Maria Bethânia: Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo
Shakti: Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live)
Siddhant Bhatia: Sounds of Kumbha
Youssou N’Dour – Éclairer le monde: Light the World

Best African Music Performance

Ayra Starr & Wizkid: “Gimme Dat”
Burna Boy: “Love”
Davido Featuring Omah Lay: “With You”
Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin: “Hope & Love”
WINNER: Tyla: “Push 2 Start”

Best Global Music Performance

Angélique Kidjo: “Jerusalema”
Anoushka Shankar Featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar: “Daybreak”
WINNER: Bad Bunny: “Eoo”
Ciro Hurtado: “Cantando en el Camino”
Shakti: “Shrini’s Dream (Live)”
Yeisy Rojas: “Inmigrante y Que?”

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Barbra Streisand: The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2
Elton John & Brandi Carlile: Who Believes in Angels?
Jennifer Hudson: The Gift of Love
Lady Gaga: Harlequin
Laila Biali: Wintersongs
WINNER: Laufey: A Matter of Time

Best Alternative Jazz Album

Ambrose Akinmusire: Honey From a Winter Stone
Brad Mehldau: Ride into the Sun
Immanuel Wilkins: Blues Blood
WINNER: Nate Smith: Live-Action
Robert Glasper: Keys to the City Volume One

Best Latin Jazz Album

Arturo O’Farrill: The Original Influencers: Dizzy, Chano & Chico (Live at Town Hall)
Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra: Mundoagua – Celebrating Carla Bley
WINNER: Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yainer Horta & Joey Calveiro: A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole
Miguel Zenón Quartet: Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at the Village Vanguard
Paquito D’Rivera – Madrid-New York Connection Band: La Fleur de Cayenne

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

WINNER: Christian McBride: Without Further Ado, Vol 1
Danilo Pérez & Bohuslän Big Band: Lumen
Deborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra: Basie Rocks!
Kenny Wheeler Legacy Featuring The Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra & Frost Jazz Orchestra: Some Days Are Better: The Lost Scores
Sun Ra Arkestra: Lights on a Satellite
The 8-Bit Big Band: Orchestrator Emulator

Best Jazz Instrumental Album

Branford Marsalis Quartet: Belonging
Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade: Trilogy 3 (Live)
John Patitucci Featuring Chris Potter & Brian Blade: Spirit Fall
WINNER: Sullivan Fortner: Southern Nights
Yellowjackets: Fasten Up

Best Jazz Performance

WINNER: Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade: “Windows (Live)”
Lakecia Benjamin Featuring Immanuel Wilkins & Mark Whitfield: “Noble Rise”
Michael Mayo: “Four”
Nicole Zuraitis, Dan Pugach & Tom Scott Featuring Idan Morim, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth & Sam Weber: “All Stars Lead to You (Live)”
Samara Joy: “Peace of Mind / Dreams Come True”

Best Roots Gospel Album

WINNER: The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: I Will Not Be Moved (Live)
Candi Staton: Back to My Roots
Gaither Vocal Band: Then Came the Morning
The Isaacs: Praise & Worship: More Than a Hollow Hallelujah
Karen Peck & New River: Good Answers

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

Brandon Lake: King of Hearts
Forrest Frank: Child of God II
WINNER: Israel & New Breed: Coritos, Vol. 1
Lecrae: Reconstruction
Tauren Wells: Let the Church Sing

Best Gospel Album

WINNER: Darrel Walls & PJ Morton: Heart of Mine
Tamela Mann: Live Breathe Fight
Tasha Cobbs Leonard: Tasha
Tye Tribbett: Only on the Road (Live)
Yolanda Adams: Sunny Days

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

WINNER: Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll: “Hard Fought Hallelujah”
Darrel Walls & PJ Morton: “Amazing”
Elevation Worship, Chris Brown & Brandon Lake: “I Know a Name”
Forrest Frank: “Your Way’s Better”
Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.: “Headphones”

Best Gospel Performance/Song

WINNER: Cece Winans & Shirley Caesar: “Come Jesus Come”
Jonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts: “Still (Live)”
Kirk Franklin: “Do It Again”
Pastor Mike Jr.: “Amen”
Tasha Cobbs Leonard & John Legend: “Church”

Best Folk Album

WINNER: I’m With Her: Wild and Clear and Blue
Jason Isbell: Foxes in the Snow
Jesse Welles: Under the Powerlines (Live April 2024 – September 2024)
Patty Griffin: Crown of Roses
Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson: What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow

Best Bluegrass Album

Alison Krauss & Union Station: Arcadia
WINNER: Billy Strings: Highway Prayers
Michael Cleveland & Jason Carter: Carter & Cleveland
Sierra Hull: A Tip Toe High Wire
The Steeldrivers: Outrun

The post 2026 Grammy Awards: African Stars Shine as Tyla Repeats Triumph and Fela Kuti Receives Historic Honor appeared first on Afromixx.

But before the likes of these recents artist, there were those who paved the way initially for these current and future artists to thrive. Legendary figures like Fela Kuti, Brenda Fassie, and Hugh Masekela laid down musical and social foundations that resonate in today’s music, bringing continents together with beats and rhythms that have become an African identity as well as a global influence.

Fela Kuti: The Afrobeat Pioneer

Fela Kuti is perhaps the most symbolic figure in African music history, and his legacy is tightly tied to the genre of Afrobeat. Born in Nigeria in 1938, Fela invented Afrobeat by combining traditional Yoruba music with Jazz, Funk, and Highlife. More than just an artist, Fela was a powerful social activist whose lyrics were often politically charged, addressing corruption, oppression, and the struggles of everyday Nigerians.

Today, Afrobeat artists, including Fela’s son Femi Kuti and grandson Made Kuti, continue his musical tradition, with global artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy fuse his influence into their own music. Fela’s iconic sound and activism have made Afrobeat a movement for setting a standard.

Brenda Fassie: The Voice of the People

South African artist Brenda Fassie, also known as the “Madonna of the Townships,” caught the hearts audiences with her powerful voice and vibrant personality. Born in 1964 in Langa, Cape Town, Fassie’s music journey was mixed with social and political involvement in South Africa. Her music, which had the sounds of pop, kwaito, and Afro-pop genres, carried messages of resilience, love, and the joys and sorrows of everyday life.

Her 1989 song Black President which was dedicated to Nelson Mandela, became an anthem for anti-racism resistance. Songs like Weekend Special and Vulindlela were not only massive hits but also served as a voice for discriminated communities, making her a beloved figure across Africa. Brenda’s influence can be seen on modern day artists such as Sho Madjozi and Busiswa.

Hugh Masekela: The Jazz Giant

Hugh Masekela, South Africa’s “Father of jazz,” was a trumpeter, composer, and anti-racism activist whose music went beyond borders. Born in 1939 in Witbank, Masekela had a career of over six decades, during which he combined jazz with African sounds, creating an appealing musical combination that attracted global praise. Songs like Grazing in the Grass and Stimela (The Coal Train) reflected both his African roots and his experiences while in exile, and the song delivered messages of hope and resistance.

Masekela’s contributions to Afro-jazz and world music influenced various artists such as South Africa’s Thandiswa Mazwai and Nigeria’s Seun Kuti who draw from his style which highlights how his contributions continue to live on in African jazz and beyond.

Youssou N’Dour: The Ambassador of African Music

Senegalese legend Youssou N’Dour is another titan in African music who brought the unique sounds of Africa to a global audience. He is known for his powerful voice and mastery of Mbalax which is a genre that blends traditional Senegalese percussion with jazz, soul, and Latin influences. N’Dour has attracted audiences worldwide. Youssou N’Dour was born in Dakar in 1959, he began singing at a young age and quickly rose to become one of Africa’s most recognized artists by his twenties.

N’Dour’s collaborated with international artists, including Peter Gabriel on the famous track In Your Eyes which helped introduce African music to Western audiences in the 1980s. His music reflects both his pride in African culture and his desire for social change. Songs like 7 Seconds, a collaboration with Neneh Cherry, and Birima focus on themes of unity, peace, and the resilience of African people.

N’Dour’s influence can be heard in the works of modern African artists who blend traditional African sounds with contemporary genres, and he continues to inspire the continent’s music scene with his unique fusion and dedication to African heritage.

As African music continues to grow globally, these legends remind us of the importance of cultural roots and the power of music as both an art form and a tool for change. Their impact serves as a testament to Africa’s boundless influence in shaping global music and culture.

The post African Legends: Artists Who Paved The Way appeared first on Afromixx.

These artists keep making names for themselves, and not just in the present time, but also for the future and they have written their names in the history books too.

Artists such as Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy are some big names who have held musical records for different bodies of their work.

For this piece, we will be highlighting 10 records held by our very own African artists.

Wizkid – First African Artist to Achieve a Platinum Certification

Big Wiz as he is fondly called holds the record for the “First African Artist to Achieve a Platinum Certification in the US.”
Straight out of the “Made In Lagos,” Wizkid’s hit song “Essence” featuring Tems became the first African song to be certified Platinum in the United States, surpassing 1 million sales.

This record is one of the unbreakable ones as Wizkid will always be remembered as the first one to do it.

Burna Boy – Most-Streamed African Album

On the 14th of August 2020, Burna Boy release his fifth studio album “Twice as Tall. The album which is a mixture of Afrobeat, Dancehall, Pop, and Hip-Hop genres went on to break the record for the “Most-streamed African album globally, surpassing over 300 million streams. With “Wonderful” being the lead single of the album, “Twice as Tall” also had other hit songs such as “23,” “Way Too Big,” “Monsters You Made,” “Real Life,” and many more.

Black Coffee – First African DJ to Win a Grammy

South African Black Coffee made history as the first African DJ to win a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album for his project “Subconsciously.”

An album that was critically acclaimed by Pitchfork, and had guest appearances from heavy-weight names in the music industry such as Usher, Pharrell Williams, David Guetta, and Diplo. ‘Subconsciously‘ became a success right from the year it was released (2021) as it amassed over 100 million streams in 2021, breaking the record for Highest Streams in 2021 for both Apple Music and Spotify.

Davido – Most-Viewed Nigerian Music Video on YouTube

Davido’s track “Fall” became the most-watched Nigerian music video on YouTube, amassing over 270 million views.

Released as the second single from Davido‘s 2019 album “A Good Time,” Fall became an instant success upon its release as it became Top 100 Most Shamazed Songs in the U.S. It became the first Afrobeats song to be certified gold in the U.S as well. In February 2019, Fall became the longest charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history. As of 2021, it was certified platinumb by the RIAA and Music Canada.

Diamond Platnumz – First Sub-Saharan African Artist to Reach 1 Billion YouTube Views

One of the biggest acts out of East Africa, Tanzania artist Diamond Platnumz was the first Sub-Saharan African artist to hit 1 billion cumulative views on YouTube.

Diamond Platnumz has been an artist doing big things in Africa, and with a career spanning over a decade, Diamond Platnums dazzles music lovers with his soothing songs, and electrifying dance steps. He is know for fusing the Bongo Flava genre with R&B, as well as having collabs with big names in the music industry, even beyond Africa.

Yemi Alade – First African Female Artist to Reach 100 Million Views on YouTube

Yemi Alade’s hit song “Johnny” became the first African female artist’s video to surpass 100 million views on YouTube. From the moment the song dropped, it was a hit for Yemi Alade as it skyrocketed her even higher in the music scene. With the handsome Alex Ekubo starring as “Johnny,” music lovers and fans of both stars trooped to Youtube to watch the music video as much as their hearts desired, thus giving her the honour of being the first African female artist to have her music video to reach 100 million views.

Master KG – First African Song to Reach 200 Million Shazams

South Africa’s Master KG’s viral hit “Jerusalema” featuring Nomcebo became the most Shazamed song in the world, surpassing 200 million Shazams.

A Dance/Electronic genred song, Jerusalema became a global phenomenom that topped various charts for weeks and captured the hearts of many music lovers who, despite not being able to speak the language, sang their hearts out whenever the song came on.

Angélique Kidjo – Most Grammy Wins by an African Artist

Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo is a beloved and highly respected figure in the music industry, and not just in Africa, but in the world. The multi-talented woman extraordinaire holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by an African artist, with five Grammys to her name, with the first coming in 2008, then 2015, next was 2016, then 2020, and her most recent one was in 2022.

Fela Kuti – Highest Charting African Album on Billboard 200

Even in death, the great Fela Kuti still holds a record after living an influential life and leaving a permanent impact on the history of Afrobeats.

Fela Kuti’s posthumous “The Best of Black President” holds the record as the highest-charting African album on the Billboard 200, reaching #45.

Tems – First Nigerian Female Artist to Debut on Billboard Hot 100

The beautiful Tems makes her way into her list. She made history as the first Nigerian female artist to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 with her feature on Drake’s “Fountains” and Wizkid’s “Essence.”

Her vocals on Essence made the track even more exciting as she and Wizkid proved to be an elite duo on that track, thus giving her this historic record.

The post 10 Musical Records Held by African Artists appeared first on Afromixx.