Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny made history at the recently held 68th Grammy awards while several of Nigeria’s biggest musical exports, including Davido, were passed over for awards despite high anticipation.
The night’s top prize, Album of the Year, went to Bad Bunny for Debí Tirar Mas Fotos, marking the first time a Spanish-language album has ever won the category. The artist dedicated the award to immigrants, setting the tone for a ceremony where numerous artists, including Best New Artist winner Olivia Dean, voiced support for immigrant rights in direct opposition to current U.S. policies.
The African contingent saw mixed results. South Africa’s Tyla emerged victorious, winning the inaugural Best African Music Performance award for her song “Push 2 Start.” The win came at the expense of a heavily favored Nigerian field that included global giants **Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr**, as well as Ugandan artist Eddy Kenzo.
For Davido, the loss marks another near miss at the Grammys. Despite immense commercial success and cultural impact in 2025, including a sold-out U.S. tour and a record-breaking hit single, the coveted gramophone trophy eluded him once more. His song “With You,” which many industry watchers believed was a strong contender, was ultimately not enough to secure a win in a fiercely competitive year.
The ceremony’s structure itself drew attention, with only nine awards presented during the three-hour televised event.
The majority of trophies, 86 in total, were handed out in an untelevised premiere ceremony earlier in the day, continuing a recent trend that prioritizes performances and spectacle over the awards themselves.
