By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards, has publicly responded to Nigerian music star Davido following his social media post after losing out at the 68th Grammy Awards, praising his sportsmanship in defeat.
Davido broke his silence on February 2, 2026, after losing the Best African Music Performance category to South African singer Tyla for her hit song Push 2 Start from her self-titled album Tyla.
The category also featured strong contenders including Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat, Burna Boy’s Love, Davido and Omah Lay’s With You, and Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin’s Hope & Love.
The Afrobeats star attended the ceremony alongside his wife, Chioma, and close family members including his siblings and manager, hoping to secure his first Grammy win after previous nominations.
However, the loss marked the third time Davido has missed out on the award.
Hours after the event, Davido shared photos of himself with his wife on Instagram, revealing that he had initially considered skipping the ceremony due to past disappointments.
In the post, he quoted his wife, Chioma, as encouraging him to attend, writing: “Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat… we outside.”
The post quickly gained attention online, drawing admiration from fans and fellow artistes.
The Recording Academy also reacted, commenting on Davido’s Instagram post with the words, “True showmanship,” a response that many interpreted as recognition of his composure and resilience despite the setback.
The exchange has sparked fresh conversations among fans about Davido’s Grammy journey and Afrobeats’ growing presence on the global stage.
While the singer is yet to clinch a Grammy win, supporters say the Academy’s public acknowledgement highlights his continued relevance and influence in international music circles.
