Ghanaian music fans have been left in shock and disappointment as Shatta Wale, Black Sherif, and Moliy failed to secure nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards. While Nigerian artists continue to dominate and steal the spotlight, Ghana’s biggest stars were completely snubbed in the Best African Music Performance category.
The Recording Academy revealed the nominations on Friday, November 7, 2025, and once again, Nigeria showed why it’s the powerhouse of African music. The 2026 Grammy nominations in this category are a showcase of Afrobeats’ global influence:
🎵 Burna Boy – “Love You”
🎵 Davido ft. Omah Lay – “With You”
🎵 Ayra Starr ft. Wizkid – “Gimme Dat”
🎵 Tyla – “Push 2 Start”
🎵 Eddy Kenzo ft. Mehran Matin – “Hope & Love” (Uganda’s only representative)
With four out of five nominees coming from Nigeria, Ghanaian fans are questioning the strategies of the local music industry. Despite the country’s rich musical heritage and talented artists, Ghana has struggled to make a mark in this highly competitive Grammy category.
Industry experts say the gap isn’t about talent — it’s about global marketing, consistent visibility, and strategic promotion. Nigerian acts like Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid have mastered this formula, earning international recognition and Grammy voters’ attention. Ghana’s stars, though popular locally, are still fighting for a global breakthrough.
Elsewhere in the Grammy nominations, Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nods, followed by Lady Gaga, Cirkut, and Jack Antonoff with seven each. Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and Leon Thomas also earned six nominations apiece, proving that competition is fierce this year.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. For Ghanaian music lovers, the celebration is bittersweet — Nigeria continues to shine internationally, while Ghana searches for its winning formula.
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