African music stars are looking towards the 69th Annual Grammy Awards, with reported submissions from artists including Ayra Starr, Davido, Asake, Tems, Tyla and Burna Boy spanning major categories, global music, pop, R&B, rap and Best African Music Performance.
The reported entries reflect the growing range of sounds and collaborations associated with African artists, several of whom are seeking recognition beyond genre-specific categories. However, the submissions remain distinct from nominations, which the Recording Academy is scheduled to announce on 16 November 2026.
Ayra Starr Targets Multiple Categories With Starrgirl
Ayra Starr’s reported submissions include her album Starrgirl, entered for Album of the Year, Best Global Music Album, Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) and Best Album Cover.
Her collaboration with Zayn, “Heaven Baby”, is reportedly entered for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. “Who’s Dat Girl”, featuring Rema, is listed for Best Global Music Performance.
Other reported entries include “Ms. Paper” with Theodora, “Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back?)” with Angélique Kidjo, “Le Show” with Davido and French Montana, and “Show Me” with Latto for Best African Music Performance. “Tornado” is listed for Best Music Video, while “Wo Man – Edit”, featuring Peggy Gou, targets Best Dance Pop Recording.
Davido and Asake Put Forward Albums and Collaborations
Davido’s ORIADÉ is reportedly entered for Album of the Year, Best Global Music Album, Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) and Best Album Cover.
His collaboration “B4 B4”, featuring Mayorkun and FOLA, is listed for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance. “Nakupenda”, featuring TxC, Zlatana, Shoday, Scotts Maphuma and Al Xapo, is reportedly entered for Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance. “Le Show” also targets Best African Music Performance, while “I Know Who I Be”, featuring JAZZWRLD and GL_Ceejay, is listed for Best Music Video.
Asake’s M$NEY is reportedly entered for Album of the Year and Best Global Music Album. His song “Gratitude” is listed for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance. “Jogodo”, his collaboration with Wizkid, targets Best African Music Performance, while “Worship”, featuring DJ Snake, is listed for Best Dance Pop Recording.
Tems and Tyla Expand Their Grammy Ambitions
Tems’ Love Is a Kingdom is reportedly entered for Album of the Year, Best Global Music Album, Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) and Best Album Cover.
Her song “What You Need” is listed for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Solo Performance and Best R&B Song, alongside a reported Best Music Video entry. “Big Daddy” targets Best African Music Performance, while “I Think You’re Special”, featuring Justin Bieber, is listed for Best R&B Duo/Group Performance. Her collaboration “Raindance” with Dave and “Bunce Road Blues”, featuring J. Cole and Future, also appear among the reported submissions.
Tyla’s APOP is reportedly entered for Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) and Best Album Cover.
“Chanel” is listed for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video. Other reported entries include “She Did It Again” with Zara Larsson for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, “Kiss” for Best Dance Pop Recording, and “Right Now” for Best R&B Solo Performance and Best R&B Song.
Her African music category entries reportedly include “I Don’t Care” with Babalwa M, “Memories” with Lojay and “Body Go” with MOLIY. “Game Time”, featuring Future and FIFA Sound, and “PBT”, featuring Travis Scott and Vybz Kartel, are also listed in rap and music video categories.
Other African Artists Reported Submissions
The reported submissions extend beyond these four Nigerian stars and Tyla.
Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo’s HOPE! is listed for Album of the Year and Best Global Music Album, while “Bando” reportedly targets Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Global Music Performance and Best Music Video. Her collaboration with Ayra Starr, “Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back?)”, is also listed for Best African Music Performance.
Seun Kuti’s “Na Dem”, featuring Tom Morello, and “Problems”, featuring Kabaka Pyramid, reportedly target Best African Music Performance. Victony’s Starlife is listed for Album of the Year and Best Global Music Album, while “Slick” targets Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance.
Burna Boy’s collaboration with Shakira, “Dai Dai”, is reportedly entered for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Global Music Performance and Best Music Video.How Far” by NO11 and Monochrome also appears in the Best African Music Performance category, although that submission requires independent confirmation.
What Happens Next in the Grammy Process?
The Recording Academy’s eligibility period for the 2027 Grammys covered recordings released between 31 August 2025 and 28 August 2026. The online submission window ran from 7 July to 21 August 2026, followed by first-round voting from 12 to 22 October. That voting period has now closed.
The next major milestone is the announcement of nominees on 16 November. Eligible voting members determine the nominees through the first round, while final-round voting is scheduled for 10 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The 69th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on 7 February 2027 in Los Angeles. Until the nominations are announced, the reported entries should be treated as submissions for consideration rather than confirmed Grammy nominations. The Recording Academy’s official nominee list will determine which artists and recordings advance in the race for music’s biggest honours.
