Artists of Nigerian Descent Who Won Big at the 2026 Grammys

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026, brought together the world’s top musical talent to celebrate the year’s achievements. While Nigerian artists such as Davido, Burna Boy, and Davido & Omah Lay were nominated, none secured a trophy this year.

However, artists of Nigerian descent left a significant mark across multiple categories, highlighting the country’s growing influence on the global music stage.

Shaboozey Makes History in Country Music

Collins Chibueze, professionally known as Shaboozey, won the Best Country Duo/Group Performance award alongside American musician Jelly Roll for their collaboration, Amen. Praised for its blend of styles and strong vocals, the track edged out entries from Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton and Margo Price & Tyler Childers. This win marks Shaboozey’s first Grammy and a milestone for Nigerian-descended artists in a genre traditionally dominated by American performers.

Tyler, the Creator Recognized for Visual Art

Tyler Gregory Okonma, better known as Tyler, the Creator and of Nigerian descent through his father, earned a Grammy for Best Album Cover with Chromakopia. The award highlights his range as an artist, blending music and visual storytelling, and underscores the global reach of Nigerian heritage in contemporary entertainment.

Cynthia Erivo Secures Pop Category Win

British-American singer and actress Cynthia Erivo, also of Nigerian descent, won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance alongside Ariana Grande. Their rendition of *Defying Gravity* from the musical film *Wicked: For Good* impressed both audiences and the Recording Academy, reinforcing Erivo’s versatility across music and film.

Though local Nigerian nominees did not win this year, the 2026 Grammys demonstrated the influence of Nigerian heritage across genres, from country and rap to pop, and in both musical and visual creativity.