2027 Grammy Awards: African Artists Submit Their Music and Videos as Nigeria Leads the Race

 

2027 Grammy Awards: African Artists Submit Their Music and Videos as Nigeria Leads the Race

The race for the 2027 Grammy Awards has officially entered an important stage, and African music is once again attracting attention as some of the continent's biggest stars submit their songs, albums and music videos for consideration.

From Nigeria to South Africa and other parts of Africa, artists are hoping to turn their international success into Grammy nominations and, eventually, Grammy trophies.

Among the African artists attracting the most attention are Davido, Tems, Asake, Ayra Starr, Seun Kuti, Tyla, Angélique Kidjo, Victony and Burna Boy, although some of the reported submissions have not yet been independently confirmed by the Recording Academy.

The Recording Academy's official submission process for the 2027 Grammys opened on July 7, 2026, and closed on August 21. Music released between August 31, 2025 and August 28, 2026 was eligible for consideration.

The Academy is now in the voting stage. First-round voting is taking place from October 12 to October 22, 2026, while the nominees are scheduled to be announced on November 16.

Davido enters the Grammy race with Oriadé and several songs

Nigerian superstar Davido is one of the African artists making a major push for the 2027 Grammys.

According to reports based on Grammy submission information, Davido's sixth studio album, Oriadé, has been submitted in several categories.

The album is reportedly being considered for:

- Album of the Year

- Best Global Music Album

- Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

- Best Album Cover

Davido has also submitted several individual songs.

His song “B4 B4”, featuring Mayorkun and FOLA, was reportedly submitted for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance.

His collaboration “Nakupenda”, featuring South African duo TxC, Zlatan, Shoday, Scotts Maphuma and Al Xapo, was reportedly entered for Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance.

Another collaboration, “Le Show”, featuring Ayra Starr and French Montana, is reportedly in contention for Best African Music Performance.

Davido's “I Know Who I Be”, featuring JAZZWRLD and GL_Ceejay, has also reportedly been submitted for Best Music Video.

This is another major Grammy campaign for Davido after he received three nominations at the 2024 Grammys but did not win.

Tems targets major Grammy categories

Nigerian singer Tems is another African artist with a strong presence in the 2027 Grammy submission race.

Reports say her project Love Is a Kingdom has been submitted for Album of the Year, Best Global Music Album, Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, and Best Album Cover.

Her song “What You Need” has reportedly been entered in several categories, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Solo Performance, Best R&B Song and Best Music Video.

Her collaboration with British rapper Dave, “Raindance,” is also reportedly in the Grammy race, with submissions including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Melodic Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Music Video.

Tems' “Big Daddy” is reportedly being considered for Best African Music Performance.

She has also been linked to a submission for Best R&B Duo/Group Performance with Justin Bieber on “I Think You're Special.”

Tems already has Grammy success. She won Best Melodic Rap Performance for her contribution to Future's “Wait for U” and later won Best African Music Performance for “Love Me JeJe.”

Her 2027 campaign could therefore become another important moment in her growing Grammy history.

Asake wants another chance at Grammy glory

Afrobeats star Asake is also reportedly in the race.

His album M$NEY has been submitted for Album of the Year and Best Global Music Album.

His song “Gratitude” is reportedly being considered for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance.

His collaboration with Wizkid, “Jogodo,” has also been submitted for Best African Music Performance.

Another song, “Worship,” featuring DJ Snake, is reportedly being considered for Best Dance Pop Recording.

Asake has previously received Grammy recognition, including nominations in Best African Music Performance.

A nomination this year would further strengthen his position as one of the leading voices of the new generation of African music.

Ayra Starr submits Starrgirl and international collaborations

Another major Nigerian name in the 2027 Grammy conversation is Ayra Starr.

Her album Starrgirl has reportedly been submitted for Album of the Year, Best Global Music Album, Best Engineered Album and Best Album Cover.

Her international collaboration with British singer Zayn, “Heaven Baby,” is reportedly in contention for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

She also has a collaboration with Rema, “Who's Dat Girl,” submitted for Best Global Music Performance.

Several other Ayra Starr collaborations are reportedly being considered for Best African Music Performance, including:

- “Ms. Paper” featuring Theodora

- “Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back?)” featuring Angélique Kidjo

- “Le Show” with Davido and French Montana

- “Show Me” featuring Latto

Her song “Tornado” has also reportedly been submitted for Best Music Video, while “Wo Man – Edit” with Peggy Gou is reportedly in contention for Best Dance Pop Recording.

Ayra Starr previously received Grammy nominations for “Rush” and “Gimme Dat,” her collaboration with Wizkid.

Seun Kuti represents the traditional Afrobeat sound

While many of the artists attracting attention are Afrobeats stars, legendary Nigerian Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti is also part of the Grammy conversation.

Reports say Seun Kuti has submitted “Na Dem”, featuring Tom Morello, and “Problems”, featuring Kabaka Pyramid, for Best African Music Performance.

His presence is significant because it represents another side of Nigerian music.

While Afrobeats has become one of Africa's biggest global exports, Seun Kuti continues the musical tradition associated with his father, Fela Kuti.

South Africa's Tyla also enters the race

South African superstar Tyla is another major African name connected to the 2027 Grammy submissions.

Reports list several submissions involving the singer, including her album APOP* and songs such as “Chanel,” “That Girl,” “Kiss,” “Right Now” and several collaborations.

Some of the reported submissions place her in major categories such as Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video.

Her African music submissions reportedly include collaborations such as “I Don't Care” with Babalwa M, “Memories” with Lojay, and “Body Go” with MOLIY for Best African Music Performance.

Tyla has already won a Grammy, making her one of the strongest African artists entering this year's race.

Angélique Kidjo continues to carry Benin's flag

African music legend Angélique Kidjo is also reportedly among the artists seeking Grammy recognition.

Her album HOPE! has reportedly been submitted for Album of the Year and Best Global Music Album.

Her song “Bando” is reportedly in contention for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Global Music Performance and Best Music Video.

She also appears in the reported Best African Music Performance submission for “Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back?)” with Ayra Starr.

Kidjo is already one of Africa's most decorated Grammy artists, making her another important name to watch.

Victony and other Nigerian artists join the competition

Nigerian singer Victony is also reportedly among the artists whose work has been submitted.

Reports list his project Starlife for Album of the Year and Best Global Music Album, while his song “Slick” has reportedly been entered for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance.

There are also reports involving other African and African-linked artists.

Burna Boy, for example, is reportedly connected to the submission of “Dai Dai”, his collaboration with Colombian superstar Shakira. The song has reportedly been entered for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Global Music Performance and Best Music Video.

However, some of these reports are based on information circulating from Grammy-focused sources rather than an official public list from the Recording Academy.

What about the Best African Music Performance category?

For African music fans, one of the biggest battles will be Best African Music Performance.

The category was introduced to give African music a dedicated Grammy platform, and the 2027 race could once again feature a large number of Nigerian and South African artists.

Davido, Tems, Asake, Ayra Starr, Seun Kuti, Tyla and other African artists have reportedly submitted songs for the category.

The competition could be intense because African music is no longer represented by only one sound.

Afrobeats, Afrobeat, Amapiano, South African pop, African R&B and other styles are now reaching listeners across Europe, America, Asia and other parts of the world.

That growing international audience has made the Grammy race even more important for African musicians.

Music videos are also part of the competition

The 2027 Grammy race is not only about songs and albums.

Music videos are also receiving attention.

Davido's “I Know Who I Be” has reportedly been submitted for Best Music Video, while Ayra Starr's “Tornado” is also reportedly in contention.

Tems has also reportedly entered “What You Need” and “Raindance” in music-video consideration.

Other African-linked entries are also being reported.

This shows how African artists are competing beyond the traditional global music categories.

Submission does not mean nomination

One of the most important things fans should understand is that being submitted for a Grammy does not mean an artist has been nominated.

The Recording Academy says eligible recordings are first reviewed for eligibility and category placement. Screening committees then help determine where entries belong.

After that, Recording Academy voting members take part in First Round Voting to determine the nominees.

The current first-round voting period for the 2027 Grammys runs from October 12 to October 22, 2026.

The official nominations are expected on November 16, 2026.

Only then will fans know which African artists have successfully made the final Grammy nomination list.

Africa waits for another Grammy breakthrough

The 2027 Grammy Awards could become another important chapter for African music.

Nigeria remains particularly strong, with Davido, Tems, Asake, Ayra Starr, Seun Kuti, Victony and other Nigerian artists connected to reported submissions.

South Africa also has a major representative in Tyla, while Benin's Angélique Kidjo continues to demonstrate the international strength of African music.

The biggest question now is not simply who submitted music.

It is who will survive the voting process and become an official Grammy nominee?

For African artists, the dream is bigger than receiving a nomination. They want to take Grammy trophies home and continue proving that music from Africa belongs among the world's biggest sounds.

The answer will begin to emerge on November 16 when the Recording Academy announces the 2027 Grammy nominees.

Until then, African music fans can only wait, debate and support their favourite artists.

One thing is already clear: Africa has entered the 2027 Grammy race with serious ambition.

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