Bad Bunny, Vybz Kartel & Tyla: Our Predictions for the Star-Studded Global, Reggae & African Music Races at the 2026 Grammys

There are 10 categories successful the Latin, Global, Reggae & New Age, Ambient oregon Chant Field astatine the 2026 Grammys. Below, we measure the authorities of the contention successful 4 of those categories — champion planetary euphony album, champion planetary euphony performance, champion African music show and champion reggae album.

Best Global Music Album

The Afrobeats “Big 3” are the starring contenders for champion planetary euphony medium this year. Davido (5ive), Burna Boy (No Sign of Weakness) and Wizkid (Morayo) should each marque the last line-up of nominees. All 3 acts person been nominated present previously, and Burna won successful 2021 with Twice arsenic Tall. Although Wizkid’s past workplace album, More Love, Less Ego, missed retired connected a nod, it’s harmless to stake that Morayo volition marque the chopped acknowledgment to specified deed singles arsenic “Kese (Danse)” and the Brent Faiyaz-assisted “Piece of My Heart.” Another sanction that’s each but guaranteed to amusement up present connected nominations greeting connected Nov. 7 is Anoushka Shankar (We Return to Light), who boasts 7 nominations (but zero wins) successful this category.

International jazz fusion ensemble Shakti, the 2024 victor successful this category, is backmost successful contention with Shakti: Mind Explosion — 50th Anniversary Tour Live. As are erstwhile nominees Ibrahim Maalouf (Trumpets of Michel-Ange), Femi Kuti (Journey Through Life), and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80′ (Heavier Yet). Last year, Indian vocalist and flautist Varijashree Venugopal earned a champion planetary euphony show motion alongside Shankar and Jacob Collier, and she could crook that into a champion planetary euphony medium motion for her ain Vari (The Live Sessions).

There’s besides the chaotic paper of Machel Montano (One Degree Hotter). Historically, soca has not fared good successful this category, but if determination was ever a twelvemonth to grant the King of Soca, 2025 is it. Not lone did Montano play the first-ever soca set for NPR’s Tiny Desk performance series, but helium besides notched his historical 11th Road March triumph for his soca smash “Pardy.” Other names to support an oculus retired for see Anitta (Ensaios Da Anitta), Eric Bellinger (It’ll All Make Sense Later), and Jamie Lozano & The Familia (Songs By An Immigrant, Vol. 3).

Our Fearless Forecast

We’re predicting: 5ive (Davido); No Sign of Weakness (Burna Boy); Morayo (Wizkid); We Return to Light (Anoushka Shankar); Journey Through Life (Femi Kuti)

Best Global Music Performance

Honoring “international performers exhibiting ‘non-European, indigenous traditions,'” this class has lone 4 years of history. In that time, Arooj Aftab earned yearly nods, but this year, the Pakistani-American vocalist does not person a opus successful contention. Largely considered the frontrunner — whether it ended up successful planetary euphony show oregon African euphony show — Moliy, Read Entire Article