Ghanaians disappointed as no local artiste get 2026 Grammy nomination

Ghanaian music fans and cultural commentators has shared both their frustration and determination after  no Ghanaian artiste made the shortlist, after the nominations for the 69th Grammy Awards were announced for 2026, regardless multiple submissions.

It was announced on Friday, November 7, 2025 that the official nominations for the 69th Grammy Awards,  will happen on February 1, 2026.

Regardless ubmissions from the likes of  Shatta Wale , M.anifest, Kwaw Kese, Gyakie, MOGmusic, Epixode and whose work had already been sent in for categories such as Best African Music Performance and Best Global Music Album, but any Ghanaian acts weren’t included in the final shortlist.

After the announcement, reactions have started popping up all over social media to the snubs. Pop and culture journalist Citizen Kafui, expressed his surprise during an X Spaces discussion with GhanaWeb.

He said that “That is not what I was expecting because with regard to the entries we had from Ghana this time, I was looking at one of us bagging the nominations. But it is quite unfortunate that this is how it ended. But I am not too disappointed because once we have had multiple submissions from our Ghanaian artistes, maybe next year.”

A lot of people on social media felt the same way, where discussions also touched on how the  award categories is.

The host of the show and Kwame Dadzie, another culture journalist shared on Facebook that, “Did you know that the Best African Music Performance category in the Grammy Awards wasn’t created for only African musicians? That is why last year ‘Sensational’ by Chris Brown [featuring Davido & Lojay] got nominated. Tomorrow, if Taylor Swift does a song perceived by the Recording Academy as African music, it is likely to get a nomination in that category to rival other songs done by African musicians.”

Other people on social media platforms shared a broader cultural critique of the moment.

Someone posted: “Grammy or no Grammy, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, and Sarkodie remain our biggest artistes in Ghana. They’re not doing music for Grammys, they’re doing music for the people. Our artistes remain top and biggest in Africa. And we love them.”

Another person encouraged Ghanaians to learn to appreciate their own artistes by saying
“All of our artistes are doing just amazing… Ghana music fans will jubilate over their favs flyer for Grammys consideration while other African artistes bag the actual noms… lmao. It’s about time y’all learn that absolutely anyone can do the flyer; that ain’t mean they even part of the final list for nominations.”

The Best African Music Performance category nominees include With You by Davido featuring Omah Lay, Gimme Dat by Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid, Hope & Love by Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin, Love by Burna Boy, and PUSH 2 START by Tyla.

On the other hand, rapper Kendrick Lamar is ahead of everyone this year with nine total nominations, including Album of the Year.

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