Tyla, Grammy Awards, 2026, image courtesy @grammys, Instagram

A Big Night at the Grammys for SA Talent

South Africans made their mark at the Grammy Awards, with Tyla winning Best African Music Performance and Trevor Noah returning as host for the final time.

Tyla took home the award for Best African Music Performance, beating out artists including Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr. The win adds another milestone to the Johannesburg-born artist’s fast-moving rise, which has seen her cross from local success into full global visibility in a short space of time.

The 68th Grammy Awards took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Alongside Tyla’s win, Trevor Noah once again anchored the night, continuing a hosting run that has become closely tied to the modern Grammys. Ahead of the ceremony, Noah confirmed that this would be his final year at the helm, closing out a six-year chapter that reshaped the tone of the show.

The evening featured performances from artists including Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse, and Pharrell Williams, while a new generation of musicians was recognised across the awards. Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist, while Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, and Doechii were among the night’s other winners.

Still, for South Africans watching from home, the focus stayed close to Tyla and Noah. Two figures working in very different spaces, but both carrying South African influence onto one of music’s biggest global stages.

More winners

Best Recording

“Luther” – Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA

Best Album

Debí Tirar Más Fotos – Bad Bunny

Best Music Video

“Anxiety” – Doechii

Director: James Mackel

Producers: Pablo Feldman, Jolene Mendes, Sophia Sabella

Song of the Year

“Wildflower” – Billie Eilish

Best Pop Vocal Album

Mayhem – Lady Gaga

Best Pop Solo Performance

“Messy” – Lola Young

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

“Defying Gravity” – Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

Best Dance/Electronic Recording

“End Of Summer” – Tame Impala

Best Dance/Electronic Album

Eusexua – FKA Twigs

Best Dance/Pop Recording

“Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

A Matter Of Time – Laufey

Best Rock Performance

“Changes (Live From Villa Park) Back To The Beginning” – Yungblud ft Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman and II

Best Rock Song

“As Alive As You Need Me To Be” – Nine Inch Nails

Best Rock Album

Never Enough – Turnstile

Best Alternative Music Album

Songs Of A Lost World – The Cure

Best Alternative Music Performance

“Alone” – The Cure

Best Metal Performance

“Birds” – Turnstile

Best Rap Performance

“Chains & Whips” – Clipse, Pusha T and Malice feat Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams

Best Melodic Rap Performance

“Luther” – Kendrick Lamar with SZA

Best Rap Song

“TV Off” – Kendrick Lamar feat Lefty Gunplay

Best Rap Album

GNX – Kendrick Lamar

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

Cirkut (Lady Gaga, Rosé, Jade)

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical

Amy Allen (Rosé, Jennie, Sabrina Carpenter)