"Tyla Again?": VeryDarkMan Reacts as Afrobeat Big 3 Miss Out on Grammy, Names His Choice
- VeryDarkMan reacted after Tyla won the Best African Music Performance category at the 2026 Grammys ahead of Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid
- Tyla won the category with her hit song 'Push 2 Start', making it her second consecutive win in the category
- VDM said he wanted Davido to win the award to create balance among the Afrobeats Big 3, noting that Burna Boy and Wizkid have already won Grammys
Nigerian activist and social media personality Vincent Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has reacted to South African singer Tyla’s victory at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where she won the Best African Music Performance category.
The award ceremony, held on Sunday night, February 1, 2026, saw Tyla’s track Push 2 Start beat entries from Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, and Omah Lay, prompting VDM to share his thoughts on the outcome.
Source: Instagram
Tyla’s win marks her second time taking home the award, having previously won the inaugural edition in 2024 with her global hit Water.
Her back-to-back success has further solidified her position as one of Africa’s most recognised voices on the international stage, while Nigerian artists, despite their strong nominations, missed out once again in this category.
Shortly after the announcement, VDM released a video via his Instagram page, where he questioned the repeated triumph of Tyla and expressed his preference for Davido to have won.
He explained that his choice was based on the idea of balance among the “Afrobeats Big 3”, noting that Burna Boy and Wizkid already hold Grammy wins, and Davido’s victory would have completed the circle.
The Ratel President acknowledged the efforts of all Nigerian nominees, praising their contributions and the quality of their songs, but maintained that Davido’s win would have added excitement to the ongoing rivalry among their fan bases, the Outsiders, 30BG, and FCs.
According to him, the Nigerian entries were strong contenders, yet the award ultimately went to Tyla, leaving him disappointed that Davido missed the chance to join his peers in Grammy recognition.
Watch VeryDarkMan's video below:
Netizens react to VDM's comment
Legit.ng compiled the reactions of netizens below:
@nosafk said:
"He is right. It would have been lovely for Davido to win to strike a balance between them. However, Tyla didn't steal that award. She worked hard for it. Sad to say, Davido didn't win, but Tyla didn't steal. That her song is a big hit."
@SilentNaijaMan commented:
"What's with all the glazing of Tyla? Her song wasn't even that sweet. Put we move. 30BG."
@Gist_media_05 wrote:
"Grammy is just overrated, make dem carry thier iron go front, no be even say na gold self, they will always use davido to promote thierself, if na me be davido I won't and will never get myself involved in them, coz thier wayoo no be here, tyla almost 48 awards in 3yrs, weytin she dey sing?? Na she sing pass?"
@Humbletunde reacted:
"Since thus werey don put mouth inside this while this I know you will carry bad luck give Davido. Those who were supposed to pray for Davido come dey swear, they come dey settle for 'nomination is also a win' bad luck gang."
@imio1 said:
"We too dey hype things for this country. Nor be hate and I know a lot of people will bash me for saying this I knew from day one that David can't use that song to win a Grammy. Winning a Grammy is not about singing a song that people over hype. Most especially Nigerians."
@daniels_osasu commented:
"Let's be honest…which of Davido song can match Tyla's in terms of global popularity? Tyla is more of an international act than any of them. In fact, I don't think Tyla should be in that category cuz she has outgrown it. I pray Davido wins next year."
Source: Instagram
Stanley Ontop drags VDM into Angela Okorie's case
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that movie producer Ajemba Stanley Chibueze, popularly known as Stanley Ontop, made an allegation against VeryDarkMan over the arrest of his friend, Angela Okorie.
Stanley claimed that the activist had a hand in Okorie's arrest and challenged VDM to swear that he was not involved.
He further alleged that the Ratel President was present at the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre when he went to check on Okorie and was also present when the NCCC arraigned the actress in court.
Stanley Ontop also warned Mercy Johnson to be careful about what she shared with VeryDarkMan, alleging that the activist could sell her out in the future.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
