By Chioba ifunayan
The global spotlight is once again on Nigerian music as the Recording Academy unveiled the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards, with Afrobeats heavyweights Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, and Omah Lay making the coveted list.
Davido and Omah Lay’s collaborative hit, “With You,” earned a nomination in the Best African Music Performance category, going head-to-head with Burna Boy’s “Love” and Ayra Starr’s “Gimme Dat,” featuring Wizkid. The category also includes Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin with “Hope & Love,” and South Africa’s Tyla with “Push 2 Start.”
This year’s nominations mark yet another milestone for Nigeria’s thriving Afrobeats scene, reinforcing its influence on the world stage.
Burna Boy, known for his consistent global presence, scored a second nomination in the Best Global Music Album category for his project “No Sign of Weakness.” He will compete alongside African legends and global icons such as Youssou N’Dour (Éclairer le Monde – Light the World), Angélique Kidjo (Jerusalema), and Anoushka Shankar (Chapter III: We Return to Light).
The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, celebrating the best in global music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025.
In a notable development, the Recording Academy also introduced two new categories this year — Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover, further expanding the awards’ scope.
The recognition of multiple Nigerian artists across key categories highlights a new era where African music, led by Afrobeats, stands tall among the world’s best.
As the world awaits the ceremony, fans across Africa and beyond are rallying behind their favorite stars, hoping to see the Nigerian flag fly high once again on music’s biggest night.
