Grammy mistakenly plays Fela Kuti's 'Water' instead of Tyla's winning track, fans react

In a surprising turn of events during the 66th Grammy Awards, the organisers made a notable blunder by playing the late Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti's track Water while announcing South African singer Tyla as the winner of the inaugural Best African Music Performance category.

During the awards ceremony on Sunday, February 4, 2024, the Recording Academy awarded Tyla's Water with the first-ever Best African Music Performance accolade, surpassing tracks by notable Nigerian artists, including Davido's Unavailable, Asake's Amapiano, Burna Boy's City Boys, and Ayra Starr's Rush.

However, the post-announcement surprise arose when, instead of playing Tyla's sexually-themed mid-tempo track, the iconic and timeless classic Water No Get Enemy by Fela Kuti resonated through the venue.

This unexpected blunder immediately triggered reactions from fans and music critics, particularly in Nigeria, with many expressing criticism towards the Recording Academy for what they deemed a "silly mistake."

The mix-up added an unexpected twist to the historic moment, overshadowing Tyla's victory and prompting discussions about the accuracy and attention to detail in such prestigious award ceremonies.