Ghanaians express disappointment as no artiste earns a nomination

After the nominations for the 69th Grammy Awards were announced for 2026, Ghanaian music fans and cultural commentators voiced a mix of frustrations and resolve after no Ghanaian artiste made the shortlist, despite multiple submissions.

The official nominations for the 69th Grammy Awards, to be held on February 1, 2026, were announced on Friday, November 7, 2025.

Despite submissions from the likes of M.anifest, Gyakie, Shatta Wale, MOGmusic, Epixode and Kwaw Kese, whose works had been submitted for categories such as Best African Music Performance and Best Global Music Album, the shortlist did not include any Ghanaian acts.

69th Grammy Awards: Ghana misses out as nominations drop

Following the announcement, many Ghanaians have taken to social media to share their reactions to the snubs.

In an X Spaces discussion with GhanaWeb, pop and culture journalist Citizen Kafui expressed his surprise.

“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,” he said.

The sentiment echoed widely across social media, where discussions also touched on the nature of the award categories themselves.

On Facebook, show host and another culture journalist, Kwame Dadzie, pointed out, “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 voices on social media platforms offered a broader cultural critique of the moment.

One post read: “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 called on Ghanaians to learn to appreciate their own artistes instead of focusing on foreign awards.

“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 person said.

Amid the disappointment, many fans concluded with a note to market and celebrate Ghana’s own music ecosystem: “You are in Ghana, Africa. You are not content with the awards organised in your country. You want to be nominated by ones from other countries before you know your worth? #Grammys ain’t ours, no one should cry over no nominations.”

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

Meanwhile, rapper Kendrick Lamar leads this year’s pack with nine total nominations, including Album of the Year.

Other artistes who scored multiple nominations include Clipse; Tyler, The Creator; Justin Bieber; Bad Bunny; Lady Gaga; Sabrina Carpenter; SZA; Sounwave; and more.

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