2026 in African music
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| List of years in African music |
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The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2026 in African music.
Events
- February 1 – At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, nominees for the award for Best African Music Performance are Burna Boy, Davido featuring Omah Lay, Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin, Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid, and Tyla.[1]
- April 3 – Omah Lay release his second album Clarity of Mind.[2]
- August 14 – Nigerian singer-songwriter, Ayra Starr released her third studio album titled Starr Girl.[3]
Albums set to be released
- Vusi Mahlasela – Title to be announced[4]
- Tyla – A-Pop[5]
- Omah Lay – Clarity of Mind[6]
- Lloyiso – Never Thought I Could[7]
- Asake – M$ney[8]
- Ayra Starr – Starr Girl[3]
Deaths
- January 20 – Yaw Sarpong, Ghanaian gospel musician and songwriter[9]
- January 30 – Abdelhadi Belkhayat, Moroccan singer, 85[10]
- February 7 – Ebo Taylor, Ghanaian musician and record producer, 90[11]
- May 3 – Hany Shaker, Egyptian singer and actor, 73[12]
- May 8 – Abdelwahab Doukkali, Moroccan composer and musician, 85[13]
- July 3 – Rahel Yohannes, 79, Ethiopian singer and musician[14]
See also
References
- ↑ Willman, Chris (November 7, 2025). "Grammy Nominations 2026: Kendrick Lamar Leads With Nine as Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Leon Thomas Land Among Top Nominees". Variety. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Omah Lay Sets April 3 Release Date for Sophomore Album 'Clarity of Mind' » YNaija". YNaija. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Ayra Starr Announces Release Date For 'Starrgirl' Album". Afrobeats Magazine. 9 May 2026. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ Sisi Nkabinde (19 January 2026). "SA: Vusi Mahlasela announces new album". Music in Africa. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ↑ Blistein, Jon (2026-02-02). "Tyla Reflects on First Grammy Win, Details New Album 'A-Pop' Ahead of Music's Biggest Night". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ↑ "Omah Lay drops 'Clarity of Mind' album". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. 3 April 2026. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- ↑ "Never Thought I Could". Genius. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
- ↑ Seloane, George (4 May 2026). "Nigeria: Asake shares fourth studio album M$NEY". Music in Africa. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ "Legendary Gospel musician Yaw Sarpong dies". Modern Ghana. 20 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ Zouiten, Sara (2026-01-30). "Moroccan Music Icon Abdelhadi Belkhayat Dies at 85". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
- ↑ Snapes, Laura (2026-02-09). "Ebo Taylor, Ghanaian highlife pioneer and guitarist, dies age 90". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ↑ "Hany Shaker, the "Prince of Arab Singing," Passes Away After a Struggle with Illness". Jordan News. 3 May 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Moroccan music legend Abdelwahab Doukkali passes away at 85 in Casablanca". Yabiladi. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Legendary Ethiopian Singer Rahel Yohannes Passes Away at 79". Fidel Post. 2026-07-05. Retrieved 2026-07-13.