Beninese-French music icon, Angélique Kidjo, has earned another prestigious nod, securing her 16th Grammy nomination for her stunning rendition of the South African global smash hit, “Jerusalema.”
The celebrated musician was nominated in the Best Global Music Performance category for the 2026 Grammy® Awards, reaffirming her status as one of Africa’s most consistently recognized international artists.
🌟 Acknowledging the Original Creators
Crucially, Kidjo immediately turned the spotlight onto the song’s brilliant original creators, Master KG and vocalist Nomcebo Zikode, acknowledging them on social media for their genius behind the viral anthem.
Taking to Instagram, Kidjo expressed her gratitude: “So proud to see Jerusalema nominated in the Best Global Performance category at the 2026 Grammy® Awards. Thanks to the writers of this great song: @masterkgsa @nomcebo_zikode,” she wrote.
For many fans, this nomination also brings renewed attention to the original South African stars, Nomcebo and Master KG, amidst their high-profile legal dispute with their label regarding the song’s ownership and royalties.
🏆 The Competition: Best Global Music Performance (2026)
Kidjo’s cover of “Jerusalema” faces stiff competition in the Best Global Music Performance category. The other nominees celebrating global sounds are:
| Performing Artist | Work |
| Bad Bunny | “EoO” |
| Ciro Hurtado | “Cantando en el Camino” |
| Yeisy Rojas | “Inmigrante Y Que?” |
| Shakti | “Shrini’s Dream (Live)” |
| Anoushka Shankar featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar | “Daybreak” |
Angélique Kidjo’s Grammy Track Record
With five Grammy wins and a total of 16 nominations (including this latest nod), Kidjo is one of the most awarded African artists in Grammy history.
| Year | Category | Album/Work | Result |
| 2022 | Best Global Music Album | Mother Nature | Winner |
| 2022 | Best Global Music Performance | “Do Yourself” (feat. Burna Boy) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Global Music Performance | “Blewu” (Yo-Yo Ma feat. Angélique Kidjo) | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Global Music Album | Celia | Winner |
| 2016 | Best World Music Album | Sings (with Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg) | Winner |
| 2015 | Best World Music Album | Eve | Winner |
| 2011 | Best Contemporary World Music Album | Õÿö | Nominated |
| 2008 | Best Contemporary World Music Album | Djin Djin | Winner |
| 2003 | Best World Music Album | Black Ivory Soul | Nominated |
| 2000 | Best World Music Album | Oremi | Nominated |
| Plus 6 other nominations in various categories and years. |
Do you think Angélique Kidjo’s global influence and faithful rendition make her “Jerusalema” cover a well-deserved nominee for Best Global Music Performance?
