2027 Grammys: Tems, Davido, Asake, and Ayra Starr in the running, voting open until October 22

The first round of voting for the 69th Grammy Awards is open from October 12 to 22, 2026, and several African artists have submitted their works. Applications were submitted between July 7 and August 21, 2026, for recordings released between August 31, 2025, and August 28, 2026, reported the Nigerian daily Premium Times on October 15, 2026, citing the specialized platform The Grammy Guru. These lists are reported by the press and have not been confirmed by the Recording Academy.

Who submitted what

Davido has submitted his album "Oriadé" for Album of the Year and Best Global Music Album, as well as "B4 B4," featuring Mayorkun and FOLA, for Record and Song of the Year. Asake has submitted "M$NEY" for Album of the Year and "Gratitude" in the major categories, plus "Jogodo" with Wizkid for Best African Music Performance. Tems, already a winner in 2023 and 2025, has submitted the album "Love Is a Kingdom" and the track "What You Need." Ayra Starr has submitted "Starrgirl," her duet "Heaven Baby" with Zayn, and four tracks for Best African Music Performance.

The list extends beyond Nigeria. According to the media outlet Amplify Africa on October 14, 2026, South African artist Tyla submitted her album "APOP," Beninese artist Angélique Kidjo submitted the album "HOPE!," and Burna Boy submitted "Dai Dai" with Shakira, while Seun Kuti submitted two tracks for Best African Music Performance. The media outlet notes that some entries are unverified.

The real test is not the African category

The main event is happening elsewhere than in the "Best African Music Performance" box. This year, albums and songs from the continent are submitted for Album, Record, and Song of the Year—the general categories where prestige is decided. Also included are "Aye Kan," which brings together Angélique Kidjo and Ayra Starr, and "Le Show," which features Davido, Ayra Starr, and French Montana: collaborations between generations and African regions.

What comes next

Submitting a work guarantees nothing: each entry first undergoes an eligibility check, followed by a vote from Academy members. Nominations will be announced on November 16, 2026, the final vote will be held from December 10, 2026, to January 7, 2027, and the ceremony will take place on February 7, 2027, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

For the African scene, November 16 will provide a simple indicator: how many names from the continent will break into the general categories, rather than just the one reserved for them.