History in Harmony: Omah Lay gets First Grammy Nomination with Davido

In a year when African music continues its unstoppable march onto the global stage, Nigerian sensation Omah Lay has etched his name into Grammy history. The Port Harcourt-born artist earned his very first nomination at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance, thanks to his soul-stirring feature on Davido�s hit single �With You.� The track, the emotional centerpiece and closing song from Davido�s fifth studio album 5ive, blends infectious Afrobeats rhythms with Omah Lay�s signature vulnerable, melodic delivery. Released as a cross-generational collaboration, �With You� has surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify and racked up over 53 million views on its vibrant music video�proving its resonance far beyond Nigeria�s borders. Featuring a special nod to Igbo highlife legend Bright Chimezie, the song captures themes of loyalty, love, and resilience, harmonizing two of Afrobeats� biggest voices in perfect sync. For Omah Lay, this milestone arrives at a pivotal moment in his career. Known for introspective anthems like those on his breakout projects and the acclaimed *Boy Alone* era, he�s long prioritized raw emotion over accolades. When the nominations dropped on November 7, 2025, he took to Instagram with characteristic honesty: �I�m excited about this Grammy nomination haha but fr fr I don�t give a sh!t about awards. Yeah but I really want it for OBO! he is the realest friend I�ve had in while, he stood by during my hardest times.� That shoutout to Davido (OBO) underscores the deeper bond behind the nomination. Omah Lay has often credited the DMW boss for unwavering support through personal challenges, turning their collaboration into more than just music�it�s a testament to brotherhood in the industry. Davido, now on his fifth Grammy nod (including previous features and solo efforts), called the category a game-changer for African representation, even floating ideas for an �African Grammys� to further elevate the continent�s sounds. The Best African Music Performance category�now in its third year since debuting in 2024�remains fiercely competitive this time around. The full lineup includes: - �Love� � Burna Boy - �With You�� Davido featuring Omah Lay - �Hope & Love� � Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin - �Gimme Dat� � Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid - �Push 2 Start� � Tyla With heavyweights like Burna Boy (leading Africa with multiple nods, including Best Global Music Album), Ayra Starr, Wizkid, and Tyla in the mix, the category highlights the diversity and dominance of African music today�from Afrobeats anthems to amapiano-infused vibes. As the 68th Grammys unfold today in Los Angeles (February 1, 2026), hosted by Trevor Noah, all eyes are on whether �With You� will bring home the win for Nigeria�s powerhouse duo. Win or not, Omah Lay�s nomination marks a breakthrough: proof that authentic, heartfelt storytelling from the streets of Port Harcourt can harmonize with the world�s biggest stage. This isn�t just recognition�it�s harmony in motion, a reminder that when African artists unite, the global soundscape shifts forever. Fingers crossed for Omah Lay, Davido, and the entire Naija contingent. The beat goes on..