Rising Stars: Potential Grammy Winners from Africa in 2025

African music is no longer just a vibe—it’s a global force. From the pulsating rhythms of Afrobeats to the soulful melodies of amapiano, artists from the continent are commanding stages, charts, and now, Grammy nominations. The 2025 Grammy Awards, held on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, showcased Africa’s growing influence, with Nigerian artists dominating the Best African Music Performance category and others making waves across genres. But who are the potential winners for future Grammys, and what makes them stand out? Let’s dive into the artists poised to take home the golden gramophone in 2026, backed by recent data and trends.

The African Music Surge

The introduction of the Best African Music Performance category in 2024 was a game-changer. It recognized the continent’s diverse sounds—Afropop, highlife, fújì, amapiano, and more—finally giving African artists a dedicated spotlight. South Africa’s Tyla won the inaugural award for her viral hit “Water,” and in 2025, Nigeria’s Tems clinched it with “Love Me JeJe.” This category, now in its third year, is a testament to Africa’s musical diversity, but it’s also sparked debates about inclusivity, with some arguing it leans too heavily on Afrobeats while sidelining other genres. Still, the global appetite for African music is undeniable—streams, collaborations, and chart performances prove it.

Top Contenders for 2026

Based on recent data, cultural impact, and industry trends, here are the African artists most likely to shine at the 2026 Grammys, along with the reasons they’re in pole position.

1. Tems: The Multidimensional Star

Why She’s a Contender: Temilade Openiyi, aka Tems, is already a Grammy darling. In 2025, she became the first Nigerian to win two Grammys, snagging Best African Music Performance for “Love Me JeJe” and previously winning Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023 for her feature on Future’s “Wait For U.” With three nominations in 2025—Best African Music Performance, Best Global Music Album for Born in the Wild, and Best R&B Song for “Burning”—she’s proven her versatility. Her ability to blend Afrobeats, R&B, and soul, coupled with her historic Billboard Hot 100 top spot (via “Wait For U”), makes her a standout.

Recent Data: “Love Me JeJe,” a nostalgic nod to Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 hit, topped the UK Afrobeats Chart and hit No. 3 on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs. Her debut album Born in the Wild was a critical success, showcasing her genre-blending prowess. Posts on X also highlight her as a leading figure in African music, with her 2025 Coachella performance amplifying her global reach.

Why She Could Win: Tems’ crossover appeal and consistent Grammy nominations (eight total) position her as a favorite. Her soulful storytelling and international collaborations (Drake, Rihanna) give her an edge in categories like Best Global Music Album or even mainstream ones like Best R&B Song. The Recording Academy loves her authenticity—she’s not just Afrobeats; she’s redefining African music’s place in global genres.

2. Burna Boy: The African Giant

Why He’s a Contender: Damini Ogulu, known as Burna Boy, is a Grammy mainstay, with nominations every year since 2018 and a 2021 win for Twice As Tall. His 2025 nomination for “Higher” in Best African Music Performance didn’t yield a win, but his influence is unmatched. His reflective track “Higher” garnered 1.3 million Spotify streams on its first day, a record for an African artist, and its video, showing Burna aiding his hometown of Port Harcourt, racked up over 7.3 million views.

Recent Data: Burna’s I Told Them album and its lead single “Higher” dominated Nigerian charts, peaking at No. 1 for 18 weeks. Posts on X consistently name him among Africa’s “big three” alongside Wizkid and Davido, citing his billion-plus YouTube views and global tours.

Why He Could Win: Burna’s storytelling, cultural authenticity, and ability to fuse Afrobeats with reggae and dancehall make him a perennial contender. The Academy’s familiarity with him—he’s got 11 nominations—means he’s always in the conversation, especially for Best African Music Performance or Best Global Music Album. His global fanbase and social impact (via Project PROTECT) add gravitas.

3. Asake: The Amapiano Innovator

Why He’s a Contender: Asake’s meteoric rise continues with his genre-blending sound, mixing Afrobeats, amapiano, and fújì. His 2025 nomination for “MMS” featuring Wizkid followed his 2024 nod for “Amapiano,” showing he’s a Grammy favorite. His 2024 album Lungu Boy featured heavyweights like Stormzy and Travis Scott, cementing his international appeal.

Recent Data: “MMS” hit No. 1 on Nigeria’s Official Top 100 and stayed there for 12 weeks. Asake’s fusion of Yoruba-language vocals and jazz-influenced beats resonates globally, and his Coachella performances have boosted his visibility. Posts on X also praise his 2025 Grammy win alongside Olamide, signaling his growing clout.

Why He Could Win: Asake’s innovative sound pushes the boundaries of Afrobeats, aligning with the Academy’s appreciation for fresh takes on African music. His collaborations and chart dominance make him a strong candidate for Best African Music Performance or even Best Global Music Performance if he diversifies further.

4. Yemi Alade: Mama Africa’s Moment

Why She’s a Contender: Yemi Alade’s first Grammy nomination in 2025 for “Tomorrow” was long overdue. Known as “Mama Africa,” her decade-long career blends highlife, dancehall, and Afrobeats, as seen in her album Rebel Queen. Her vibrant vocals and African aesthetics resonate with the Academy’s love for culturally rich performances.

Recent Data: “Tomorrow” spent 22 weeks on Nigeria’s Top 100, peaking at No. 12. Her red carpet look at the 2025 Grammys, featuring Edo-inspired beaded jewelry and a headdress, stole the show, amplifying her cultural impact.

Why She Could Win: Yemi’s persistence and global fanbase make her a dark horse. The Academy’s push for diversity could favor her in Best African Music Performance, especially if she leans into non-Afrobeats genres like highlife to stand out.

5. Angélique Kidjo: The Veteran Powerhouse

Why She’s a Contender: Benin’s Angélique Kidjo, with five Grammy wins, is a legend. Her 2025 nomination for “Sunlight to My Soul” with the Soweto Gospel Choir in Best Global Music Performance kept her in the spotlight. Her ability to transcend genres—blending African rhythms with jazz and gospel—makes her a perennial threat.

Recent Data: Kidjo’s 140 awards, including four Grammys, make her one of Africa’s most decorated artists. Her 2019 speech dedicating her win to Burna Boy showed her influence in uplifting the next generation.

Why She Could Win: The Academy loves Kidjo’s legacy and cross-genre appeal. She’s a safe bet for Best Global Music Performance, and a win in 2026 would further cement her as Africa’s Grammy queen.

Why Afrobeats Dominates (But Change Is Coming)

The 2025 Best African Music Performance category was Nigeria-heavy, with Tems, Burna Boy, Asake, Wizkid, Davido, and Yemi Alade dominating. Critics argue this focus on Afrobeats overshadows other African genres like amapiano, highlife, or reggae. Nigerian music journalist Ayomide Tayo notes Afrobeats’ three-decade exposure and diaspora influence as key to its dominance. But the Academy is under pressure to diversify, with calls for more categories to reflect Africa’s vast musical landscape. Artists like South Africa’s Wouter Kellerman, who won Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album in 2025, show that non-Afrobeats genres are gaining traction.

The Chris Brown Controversy

A quick detour: the inclusion of Chris Brown’s “Sensational” (featuring Davido and Lojay) in the 2025 Best African Music Performance category sparked debate. Some questioned whether a U.S. artist should compete in an African category, but Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. defended the choice, emphasizing music’s inclusivity. This highlights the global crossover of African sounds, which could influence future nominations by opening doors for diaspora artists like Shaboozey, who earned five 2025 nods, including Best New Artist.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 Grammys will likely see fiercer competition as African music continues its global ascent. Artists like Rema, whose album HEIS earned a 2025 Best Global Music Album nod, and Rocky Dawuni, with his reggae-infused “Rise,” could break through if they maintain momentum. The Academy’s challenge is balancing Afrobeats’ dominance with the continent’s broader diversity. Will we see categories for amapiano or highlife? Only time will tell.

For now, Tems, Burna Boy, Asake, Yemi Alade, and Angélique Kidjo are the ones to watch. Their chart success, cultural resonance, and Grammy track records make them formidable. As Tems said in her 2025 acceptance speech, “Dear God, thank you for putting me on this stage.” The stage is set for Africa to keep shining.