Story Highlights
On February 2, 2026, Nigerian media personality Osi Suave ignited a social media firestorm by dismissing Tyla’s song “Push 2 Start” as a commercial failure. He explicitly advised Nigerian artists to withdraw from future Grammy consideration, arguing that the award favored a track with zero chart dominance.
The fallout from the 2026 Grammy Awards has sparked a heated debate within the Nigerian music industry. Prominent On-Air Personality Osi Suave took to X on Monday to voice his frustration regarding the Best African Music category.
He argued that the winning track by South African singer Tyla did not reflect genuine popularity. His comments have since divided opinion among fans and industry experts alike.
Osi dismisses song impact
Osi questioned the merit of Tyla’s song “Push 2 Start” directly. He claimed the track failed to register on major charts or create a cultural wave.
”Push 2 start was a non starter,” Osi wrote in his post. “The song didn’t even make any impact or go anywhere.”
He suggested that the metrics used by the Recording Academy did not match reality. This sentiment echoes a broader trend of dissatisfaction, much like when Lil Wayne breaks silence regarding his own frustrations with award bodies this week.
Call for mass boycott
The media personality went a step further in his critique. He urged Nigerian musicians to stop seeking validation from the global awards body entirely.
”At this point, Nigerian artistes should stop submitting their songs for consideration,” he stated.
Osi insisted that he works in the media and knows the facts. He maintained that no chart data supports the success of Tyla’s song for the year.
Online backlash ensues
Critics immediately challenged Osi’s stance. One user, Chylevibes, accused the media personality of bias against a hardworking female artist.
”Imagine what our top media personalities are doing to a hardworking girl,” Chylevibes replied. “All because it doesn’t favor who they love.”
Despite the rant, streaming data paints a different picture. “Push 2 Start” amassed over 614 million streams, significantly outpacing Davido’s “With You,” which sat at 212 million.
This clash highlights the ongoing tension between Nigerian acts and the Grammys. It stands in contrast to celebratory moments, such as when Fela Kuti earns Grammy recognition, which united the continent in pride.
