Nigerian rapper Speed Darlington, widely known as Akpi, has stirred online controversy after reacting mockingly to Nigeria’s outcome at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
The outspoken entertainer shared a video in which he ridiculed Nigerian music stars following their failure to secure wins in competitive categories, despite earning several nominations.
At the awards ceremony held in Los Angeles, South African singer Tyla emerged victorious in the Best African Music Performance category, beating Nigerian artists Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Omah Lay, and Ayra Starr. As a result, Nigeria ended the night without any competitive Grammy award, leaving many Afrobeats fans disappointed.
Soon after the event, Speed Darlington released a video filmed on the streets of New York City, where he openly mocked Nigerian musicians. In the clip, he suggested that winning a Grammy depends more on industry influence and powerful connections than on musical talent.