Nigerian Afrobeats heavyweights Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and Omah Lay have been nominated for the 2026 Grammy Awards, further cementing Africa’s growing influence on the global music stage.
The Recording Academy unveiled the shortlist on Friday evening, showcasing the continued dominance of African artists in major international categories.
In the Best African Music Performance category, Davido and Omah Lay earned a nomination for their chart-topping collaboration “With You.” They will compete against Burna Boy’s “Love,” Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s “Gimme Dat,” Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin for “Hope & Love,” and South African star Tyla, nominated for “PUSH 2 START.”
Burna Boy, who made history in 2021 as Nigeria’s first solo Grammy winner, also earned another nod in the Best Global Music Album category for his acclaimed project “No Sign of Weakness.”
Other nominees in that category include Senegalese legend Youssou N’Dour for “Eclairer le Monde: Light the World,” Brazilian icons Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia for “Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo,” Indian composer Siddhant Bhatia for “Sounds of Kumbha,” Shakti for “Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live),” and Anoushka Shankar alongside Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar for “Chapter III: We Return to Light.”
The 2026 nominations highlight the globalisation of Afrobeats, a genre that has transcended its Nigerian roots to become a cultural phenomenon worldwide. With hits dominating streaming platforms and international charts, Nigerian artists continue to shape the sound of contemporary pop music.
Okay News reports that this year’s nominations reinforce Nigeria’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in global entertainment. The recognition also signals the Recording Academy’s ongoing commitment to spotlighting African artistry through dedicated categories like Best African Music Performance, introduced in 2024.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in February 2026, where the world’s biggest stars will gather to celebrate excellence across the music industry.
