Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr and Omah Lay dominate 2026 Grammy nominations

Nigerian Afrobeat superstars Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr and Omah Lay have been nominated for 2026 Grammy Awards, highlighting the continued global rise of the country’s vibrant music industry.

The full list, released by the Recording Academy on Friday evening, places Nigerian performers at the forefront of the international music scene, with multiple nominations in key categories including Best African Music Act and Best Global Music Album.

In the Best African Music Act category, Nigerian artists took four of the five nominated spots, proving the dominance of Afrobeats on the world stage. Nominated works include Burna Boy’s “Love”, Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You”, Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin’s “Hope & Love”, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s “Gimme Dat” and Tyla’s “PUSH 2 START”.

Davido and Omar Rai’s soulful collaboration “With You” earned them their first joint Grammy nomination. The song, which blends high-life percussion with melodic Afro-fusion elements, has been widely praised for its emotional expression and authentic storytelling. Likewise, Ayra Starr and Wizkid make the list with “Gimme Dat,” a rhythmic anthem that dominates local and international airwaves.

Previous Grammy winner Burna Boy has extended his streak by being nominated in the Best Global Music Album category for his work No Sign of Weakness. The album will feature Siddhant Bhatia’s Sounds of Kumbha, Youssou N’Dour’s Éclairer le Monde: Light the World, Shakti’s Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live), Anoushka Shankar’s Chapter III: We Return to Light with Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar, and Caetano e Bethânia” and other top international works compete. “Ao Vivo” by Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia.

If Burna Boy wins the award, it will mark his second Grammy win, further cementing his status as one of Africa’s most accomplished musical exports.

The 2026 nominations highlight Afrobeats’ transformation from continental music to a dominant global genre. Over the past five years, Nigerian artists have continued to break barriers, topping international charts and collaborating with A-list performers across the globe. Davido’s “Timeless” album, Wizkid’s “More Love, Less Ego” and Ayra Starr’s breakout success continue to showcase the genre’s versatility and global appeal.

The Grammy Awards’ recognition of several Nigerian musicians reflects a major shift in the global music landscape, positioning Lagos as one of the new music capitals of the world, according to music analysts.

Following the announcement, social media platforms erupted in celebrations as fans rushed to congratulate their favorite star. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags such as #DavidoForGrammy, #BurnaBoy and #AyraStarr trended globally, while fans hailed the moment as a historic victory for African music. Many hailed the nominations as a collective win for Nigeria’s creative industry, with some saying it was proof that African voices have truly gone global.

The 2026 Grammy Awards are scheduled to be held early next year at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Industry observers predict a strong debut for Nigerian artists, who are expected to win in the Best African Music Act and Global Music Album categories.

Entertainment journalist and critic Tunde Ogunleye described the nominations as “a clear recognition of the tireless work and global cultural output of Nigerian artists over the years”. “This year’s nominations demonstrate that African music, and Nigerian Afrobeat music in particular, has crossed the threshold from trend to tradition. It is now an established pillar of global pop culture,” he said.

2026 could go down as one of the most defining moments in African music history as five Nigerian stars receive Grammy nominations in major categories. Whether it’s through Burna Boy’s powerful artistry, Davido’s infectious energy, Wizkid’s global appeal, Ayra Starr’s youthful talent, or Omah Lay’s soulful voice, Nigeria continues to prove itself to be the heartbeat of world music.