Nigeria’s music afrobeat stars steals the spotlight as the 2026 Grammy Awards nominations are announced, featuring Afrobeats giants, Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Ayra Star, and Omah Lay
The shortlist, released Friday evening, highlights the growing influence of Nigerian music internationally.
Best African Music Performance sees Nigerian heavyweights Davido and Omah Lay nominated for their collaboration on “With You,” marking Omah Lay’s first Grammy nomination.
Other notable entries include Burna Boy’s “Love”, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s “Gimme Dat”, Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin’s “Hope & Love”, and Tyla’s “PUSH 2 START.”
Burna Boy, already a Grammy winner, is also in the running for Best Global Music Album with “No Sign of Weakness,” as he faces stiff competition from international artists.
The Grammy nods signal a continued rise in recognition for African music on the world stage, with Nigerian afrobeat artists making waves through their creativity and global appeal.
Fans and music enthusiasts across the continent are already celebrating the nominations, seeing it as another milestone for Nigeria’s music industry.
Best African Music Performance Nominees:
– Love – Burna Boy
– With You – Davido & Omah Lay
– Hope & Love – Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin
– Gimme Dat – Ayra Starr & Wizkid
– PUSH 2 START – Tyla
– Best Global Music Album Nominees:
– No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy
– Sounds Of Kumbha – Siddhant Bhatia
– Éclairer le monde: Light the World – Youssou N’Dour
– Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live) – Shakti
– Chapter III: We Return To Light – Anoushka Shankar featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar
– Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo – Caetano Veloso & Maria Bethânia
The 2026 Grammys promise to be a historic celebration for Nigerian afrobeat, with multiple artists vying for honors and cementing Africa’s influence on the global music scene.