Ghanaian Submissions for Special Prizes at the 68th Grammy Awards
Ghana’s music scene is gaining traction globally, with these submissions highlighting Afrobeats, hiplife, and reggae influences.
Ghanaian Submissions for Special Prizes at the 68th Grammy Awards
The 68th Grammy Awards (scheduled for February 1, 2026) feature several categories and special recognitions where submissions from Ghanaian musicians and artists are under consideration during the first-round voting period (which ended on October 16, 2025). However, based on publicly announced submissions, only one Ghanaian song has been explicitly submitted and considered for a “special prize” category: the Harry Belafonte Award for Social Change (a non-competitive special merit award recognizing music that promotes social change, human rights, or advocacy).
Details on the Special Prize Submission:
• Artist: Wiyaala (Ghanaian Afro-pop and folk singer-songwriter, often credited with blending traditional Sissala influences with modern sounds).
• Song: “Get Wise” (a track from her 2024 album We Are One, addressing themes of empowerment, cultural preservation, and social justice).
• Category: Harry Belafonte Award for Social Change.
• Status: Submitted and passed initial screening for consideration. Nominees for special merit awards like this are selected by a Recording Academy committee, with recipients announced closer to the ceremony.
• Context: This aligns with the photo credit to @wiyaala in your query, highlighting her advocacy-driven work. Wiyaala has been vocal about using music for activism, making this a fitting entry.
No other Ghanaian submissions were found for special merit awards (e.g., MusiCares Person of the Year or Trustees Awards). For reference, the Grammys have over 20 special merit categories, but announcements are limited until nominations on November 7, 2025.
Broader Ghanaian Submissions for Competitive Categories
While not “special prizes,” Ghanaian artists have submitted numerous songs/albums for standard categories like Best African Music Performance (BAMP) and Best Global Music Album. These are competitive (up to 5-8 nominees per category) and represent strong representation from Ghana. Here’s a summary of confirmed submissions (based on artist announcements and media reports; the full list is private to the Recording Academy):
• Total for Competitive Categories: At least 5 unique Ghanaian artists (with 7+ songs/albums across categories). BAMP has heavy Ghanaian presence among ~100 total African submissions.
• Other Notables: Past nominees like Rocky Dawuni (4x Grammy-nominee) or Sarkodie may have submitted privately, but no confirmations for 2026. Producers like Samuel Soso (previous winner) often contribute behind-the-scenes.
Ghana’s music scene is gaining traction globally, with these submissions highlighting Afrobeats, hiplife, and reggae influences. If nominees are announced, Ghana could secure multiple nods—especially in BAMP, where Tyla’s 2024 win (produced by a Ghanaian) set a precedent. For updates, check grammy.com or official artist channels. If you meant a different “special prize” or have more details, let me know!
Key Context
• Total Impact: This makes 2026 a banner year for Ghanaian representation, building on past successes like Rocky Dawuni’s four prior nominations or producer Sammy Soso’s win for Tyla’s “Water” (2024). No full nominee list yet, but BAMP could see 2-3 Ghanaian nods if voting favors local entries.
• Special Prize Note: Wiyaala’s is the only confirmed Ghanaian submission specifically for the Harry Belafonte Award (a committee-selected honor for advocacy-driven music). Others are in voted categories, so they’re separate.
• Why More? Submissions closed August 30, 2025, but artists often announce late (like Wiyaala yesterday). Veterans like Rocky Dawuni or Sarkodie may have entered privately without fanfare.
Ghana’s scene is buzzing—Afrobeats and hiplife are dominating. If nominees drop with multiple Ghanaians, it’ll be huge! Got a favorite artist you’re rooting for?
