The Grammy Awards, often dubbed “Music’s Biggest Night,” have long been a benchmark for artistic excellence, yet they have also been a source of frustration for global genres like Afrobeats. Since the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category in 2024, there has been heightened anticipation, and frequent disappointment among African artists and fans. Some notable Grammy snubs, particularly Wizkid’s “Essence” featuring Tems,makes us examine the prospects for Davido’s “With You” featuring Omah Lay, nominated in the same category for the 2026 Grammys. By analysing the song’s strengths, the competitive landscape, and the broader factors shaping Grammy decisions, we explore whether “With You” could avoid the fate of previous favorites or become another chapter in the ongoing debate about equity in music awards.

A History of High-Profile Snubs in Afrobeats

Afrobeats, the vibrant fusion of West African rhythms with global pop influences, has exploded internationally over the past decade. However, its Grammy journey has been marked by near-misses and outright oversights. One of the most emblematic snubs is Wizkid’s “Essence” featuring Tems, nominated for Best Global Music Performance at the 2022 Grammys. Released in 2020 as part of Wizkid’s Made in Lagos album, the track became a cultural phenomenon, topping charts worldwide and amassing billions of streams. It symbolised Afrobeats’ crossover appeal, even earning a remix with Justin Bieber. Yet, it lost to Pakistani-American artist Arooj Aftab’s “Mohabbat,” sparking widespread criticism that the Recording Academy undervalued the genre’s commercial and cultural impact.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. In 2024, the inaugural Best African Music Performance category saw South African singer Tyla’s “Water” triumph over strong Afrobeats contenders like Davido’s “Unavailable” featuring Musa Keys, Asake’s “Amapiano,” and Burna Boy’s “City Boys.” While Tyla’s win was celebrated for highlighting Amapiano, many viewed it as a snub for Nigeria’s Afrobeats dominance, with critics arguing the Academy favored a fresher, less “mainstream” African sound. Supermodel Naomi Campbell publicly called out the Grammys in 2022 for overlooking Afrobeats, emphasizing the genre’s global influence and the need for better representation.

Other notable snubs include Wizkid’s Made in Lagos album, which received widespread acclaim but no wins despite nominations, and artists like Rema, Asake, and Tems facing exclusions in subsequent years. Even in 2026, complaints emerged about overlooked talents like Seyi Vibez and Shallipopi, highlighting perceived biases toward established names or specific African subgenres. These patterns have fueled accusations that the Grammys treat Afrobeats as a “second-class” genre, prioritising PR and diversity optics over merit.

Davido’s “With You”: A Contender with Momentum

Enter Davido’s “With You” featuring Omah Lay, a standout track from Davido’s 2025 album 5ive. Nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammys, the song represents a potential turning point. Released in early 2025, “With You” is a melodic Afropop anthem centered on themes of unwavering love and devotion, blending Davido’s charismatic delivery with Omah Lay’s smooth, introspective style. Critically, it’s been hailed as an “effortlessly enjoyable Afropop banger,” with reviews praising its catchy hooks and emotional depth.

Commercially, the track has been a juggernaut. It debuted at No. 1 on Nigeria’s Official Top 100 chart, peaking at No. 1 in 14 countries on Apple Music. As of late 2025, it surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify, sold 175,000 units in the U.S., and garnered over 49 million YouTube views. Pulse Nigeria even crowned it the “Song of the Year,” noting its ubiquity and cultural resonance. Fan discussions on X (formerly Twitter) reflect this enthusiasm, with users debating its superiority in streams and awa rds over rivals like Wizkid’s recent releases.

This momentum positions “With You” as a strong favorite, especially as Davido’s first nomination in this category since his 2024 snubs. Davido himself celebrated the nod, emphasizing its significance for Afrobeats’ global push.

The Competitive Field and Odds of Success

Despite its strengths, “With You” faces stiff competition in the 2026 Best African Music Performance category. The full list of nominees includes:

Burna Boy and Tyla, as past winners, may have an edge due to familiarity with voters. Ayra Starr’s collaboration with Wizkid adds star power, potentially splitting the Nigerian vote. However, “With You”‘s sheer popularity, outstreaming many competitors, could sway outcomes if commercial metrics weigh heavily.

Factors Influencing Grammy Decisions

Grammy winners are determined through a multi-stage process: submissions, screening for eligibility, nominations by committees, and final voting by the Recording Academy’s 11,000+ members, primarily U.S.-based professionals. Several factors play into this:

• Genre Bias and Dominance: Certain genres like pop and hip-hop historically dominate, while global categories face underrepresentation. For African music, there’s criticism that the Academy favors “exotic” or less commercial entries over Afrobeats hits.
• Voting Body Composition: The Academy’s U.S.-centric membership may lead to biases, with limited exposure to non-Western markets influencing preferences.
• Commercial vs. Critical Balance: While streams and sales matter, artistic innovation and lobbying (e.g., performances, campaigns) often tip the scales. Grammy wins can boost careers, influencing industry decisions like signings.
• Diversity Initiatives: Recent expansions, like the African category, aim to address criticisms, but snubs persist, raising questions about tokenism.

These elements create an unpredictable environment, where even favorites like “Essence” falter.

Sparking the Debate: Win or Another Snub?

Will “With You” break the snub pattern, affirming Afrobeats’ place at the Grammys, or will it echo past oversights amid tough competition and potential biases? On one hand, its unmatched commercial success and Davido’s growing international profile suggest a breakthrough, potentially the first Afrobeats win in this category since its inception. On the other, the Academy’s track record and rivals like Burna Boy could perpetuate the cycle.

This nomination invites broader reflection: Are Grammys truly merit-based, or do they reflect industry politics? Fans and critics alike should weigh in, does “With You” deserve the gold, or is the system stacked against it? As the February 1, 2026, ceremony approaches, the outcome could redefine Afrobeats’ Grammy narrative.