Artistes of Nigerian descent who won big at the 2026 Grammys

By Tolulope Oke

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026, brought together the world’s biggest musical stars to celebrate a year of outstanding artistry. While several Nigerian artists were nominated in major categories, none managed to take home the coveted trophy this year.

Notable nominees included Davido and Burna Boy in the Best African Music Performance category, as well as Davido & Omah Lay’s collaborative track “With You.” Despite strong campaigns and global recognition, these artists were edged out by other contenders.

Yet, Nigerian influence was unmistakable on the night. Several winners of Nigerian descent made their mark across diverse genres, underscoring the country’s growing imprint on the global music scene.

Shaboozey Makes Country Music History

One of the night’s most notable moments came courtesy of Shaboozey, born Collins Chibueze, who has Nigerian roots. He clinched the Best Country Duo/Group Performance award alongside American musician Jelly Roll for their collaboration, “Amen.”

The track, praised for its seamless blend of musical styles and strong vocal delivery, triumphed over heavyweights including Miranda Lambert with Chris Stapleton and Margo Price with Tyler Childers. For Shaboozey, this marks his first Grammy win—a milestone for a Nigerian-descended artist in a genre traditionally dominated by American acts.

Tyler, the Creator Adds Visual Flair to His Grammy Collection

Grammy veterans also celebrated wins, including Tyler, the Creator, born Tyler Gregory Okonma to a Nigerian father. The American rap innovator took home the Best Album Cover award for Chromakopia, recognizing his striking work in visual storytelling through album art.

This accolade reinforces Tyler’s position as a multi-talented artist whose influence extends beyond music into creative visual presentation, while highlighting Nigerian heritage at the forefront of the global entertainment scene.

Cynthia Erivo’s Pop Victory

British-American singer and actress Cynthia Erivo, also of Nigerian descent, secured a win in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category alongside Ariana Grande.

Their performance of “Defying Gravity” from the musical film Wicked: For Good captivated audiences and the Recording Academy alike.

Erivo’s victory adds to her growing collection of Grammy accolades and underscores her versatility across music and film, proving once again that Nigerian talent continues to resonate internationally.

The 2026 Grammys proved once again that music has no borders. Nigerian blood ran deep in some of the night’s biggest wins, despite our local artistes clinching no wins.