The debate surrounding Tyla’s victory at the 2026 Grammy Awards has taken a new turn after Nigerian singer Joeboy publicly defended the South African star.
Tyla won the Best African Music Performance category with her hit song Push 2 Start. She defeated top Nigerian artists including Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and Omah Lay. However, the announcement quickly sparked heated reactions across social media platforms.
Many fans argued that the award should have gone to one of the Nigerian musicians. Nevertheless, Joeboy has now stepped forward with a different perspective. His comments suggest that the conversation around the Tyla Grammy win controversy should be more balanced.
Speaking during a recent interview with Jay On-Air, Joeboy admitted he personally supported Davido for the award. However, he made it clear that Tyla’s success should still be respected.
“Personally, I was rooting for Davido to win the Best African Music Performance category at the 2026 Grammys, but you can’t take it away from Tyla,” he said.
Moreover, Joeboy explained that Tyla’s rise in global music did not happen by accident. According to him, her dedication and hard work played a major role in her victory.
“She is an amazing artist whether you accept it or not. She really put in the work,” he said.
Meanwhile, the singer acknowledged that disappointment among fans is understandable. Nigerian artists have dominated African music globally for many years.
However, Joeboy urged critics to focus on fairness and artistic merit. He insisted that Tyla’s performance and global impact cannot be ignored.
“People can be angry all they want but she deserved the Grammy win. I can’t fault her triumph,” he added.
Furthermore, the Tyla Grammy win controversy highlights a broader conversation about African music’s global recognition. Over the past decade, Afrobeats and other African sounds have grown rapidly across international charts.
Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido have helped push African music into global mainstream spaces. Meanwhile, newer stars such as Tyla are expanding the genre’s reach to new audiences.
In addition, the Grammy category itself has become highly competitive. The Best African Music Performance category now features artists from across the continent.
