The 2026 Grammy Awards have ended in the United States, with American rapper Kendrick Lamar emerging as the biggest winner of the night. Lamar won five awards, including the highly prized Record of the Year for his song Luther, a collaboration with American singer SZA.
The annual music awards, organized by the Recording Academy, celebrated artistes across different genres from around the world. A total of 95 categories were presented, with most of the awards announced during a pre-telecast ceremony before the main televised event.
While Kendrick Lamar dominated the night, the biggest awards were shared among different artistes. Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, while American singer Billie Eilish clinched Song of the Year for Wildflower. British singer Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist.
For Nigerian music fans, the night ended in disappointment as Nigerian artistes went home without a win, despite multiple nominations across key categories.
Kendrick Lamar’s success at the 2026 Grammys further confirmed his status as one of the most respected figures in global hip-hop. His album GNX won Best Rap Album, while Luther also earned him awards for Best Melodic Rap Performance and contributed to his Record of the Year win.
Music critics praised Lamar’s consistency, lyrical depth, and ability to connect social themes with popular music. His collaboration with SZA was especially celebrated for its strong message and wide appeal.
Bad Bunny’s Album of the Year win marked another major moment for Latin music on the global stage. His album beat strong contenders including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and Tyler, the Creator.
Billie Eilish’s Wildflower won Song of the Year, adding to her growing list of Grammy achievements. Lady Gaga also enjoyed success, winning Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Dance Pop Recording.
In the Best New Artist category, Olivia Dean emerged ahead of other rising stars, confirming her steady rise in the international music scene.
The Best African Music Performance category once again attracted strong interest from African fans. Nigerian artistes Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, and Omah Lay were all represented, showing Nigeria’s continued dominance in African music.
However, it was South African singer Tyla who claimed the award with her song Push 2 Start. She defeated Burna Boy’s Love, Davido’s With You featuring Omah Lay, Gimme Dat by Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid, and Hope & Love by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin.
Tyla’s victory marked her second win in the category since it was introduced in 2024. She first won with her global hit Water, making her the first and now the most successful winner in the category so far.
Despite Nigeria’s strong presence, none of the Nigerian nominees won on the night, sparking debate among fans on social media.
Burna Boy also competed in the Best Global Music Album category with No Sign of Weakness but lost to Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo by Brazilian legends Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia.
The loss ended Nigeria’s hopes of picking up an award at the ceremony, even though Nigerian artistes remain among the most streamed and recognised African musicians globally.
The 2026 Grammys reflected a wide mix of musical styles and cultures. Kehlani won Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for Folded, while Leon Thomas picked up Best R&B Album and Best Traditional R&B Performance.
In gospel categories, CeCe Winans won Best Gospel Performance/Song, while Darrel Walls and PJ Morton won Best Gospel Album.
Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Tame Impala, Skrillex, FKA Twigs, and Yo-Yo Ma were among other notable winners across pop, electronic, and classical music categories.
Although Nigerian artistes did not win, industry watchers say their continued presence at the Grammys shows the global strength of Afrobeats. Over the past decade, Nigerian music has grown into a worldwide movement, with artistes performing on major global stages and topping international charts.
The African music category itself was created to better recognize the impact of African sounds, following years of criticism that African artistes were grouped into broad global or world music sections.
Reactions to the Grammy results were mixed. While some Nigerian fans expressed disappointment, others congratulated Tyla and praised the Recording Academy for keeping African music visible on the world stage.
As the curtain falls on the 2026 Grammy Awards, the ceremony once again highlighted music’s global reach and diversity. For African and Nigerian artistes, the focus now shifts to future releases and performances, with hopes that upcoming editions will bring more wins and recognition.
For now, the 2026 Grammys will be remembered for Kendrick Lamar’s big night.