Trevor Noah and Tyla earn Grammy nominations, spotlighting South Africa’s global cultural influence.
South African stars Trevor Noah and Tyla have once again put the country on the global entertainment map after being nominated for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, set to take place on February 1 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
As reported by The Citizen, Tyla, whose full name is Tyla Laura Seethal, received a nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for her single Push 2 Start. The hit track, praised for its fusion of amapiano and R&B influences, continues to cement her reputation as one of Africa’s most promising global artists. She faces stiff competition from other continental heavyweights, including Nigeria’s Davido, Ayra Starr, and Eddy Kenzo from Uganda.
The 22-year-old singer already made history at the 2024 Grammy Awards when she became the first South African artist to win in the newly introduced African music category for her viral hit Water, which topped international charts and dominated social media platforms like TikTok.
Meanwhile, Trevor Noah, the acclaimed comedian, author, and former host of The Daily Show, is nominated in the Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording category for his latest book, Into the Uncut Grass. The work explores personal growth, resilience, and the lessons he learned navigating life after leaving late-night television. Noah’s nomination places him among an impressive list of contenders, including the Dalai Lama and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Both nominations reflect the growing global recognition of South African talent across multiple creative industries. As Tyla continues to redefine African pop and Noah expands his storytelling beyond comedy, their international acclaim highlights South Africa’s deepening influence in the global arts and entertainment arena.
