Nigerian music heavyweight Burna Boy endured a disappointing night at the 2026 Grammy Awards after missing out on the Best Global Music Album prize, which was claimed by Brazilian legends Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia for their collaborative project, Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo.
The Afrofusion star was in contention with his album No Sign of Weakness, but the category proved fiercely competitive.
Other nominees included Sounds Of Kumbha by Siddhant Bhatia, Éclairer le monde Light the World by Senegalese icon Youssou N’Dour, Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live) by Shakti, and Chapter III: We Return to Light by Anoushka Shankar featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar.
Burna Boy’s loss in the global album category came shortly after another setback earlier in the ceremony. He had also been nominated for Best African Music Performance, a category he lost to South African star Tyla, whose song Push 2 Start secured the award ahead of Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr.
Despite the double disappointment, Burna Boy’s presence among the nominees once again reinforced his status as one of Africa’s most consistent global exports.
His repeated recognition at the Grammys continues to reflect the international reach of his music, even on a night where the awards did not fall his way.
While the trophies went elsewhere this year, Burna Boy’s sustained visibility on the Grammy stage remains a testament to his influence and the continued rise of African music within the global soundscape.