The global music community is celebrating as the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards have been officially announced, with Nigerian artists securing prominent positions across multiple categories.
Nigerian Dominance in Best African Music Performance
Nigeria's music industry continues to make significant strides on the international stage with several nominations in the prestigious Best African Music Performance category. The collaborative track "With You" by Davido featuring Omah Lay has earned a nomination, showcasing the powerful synergy between two of Nigeria's biggest musical exports.
Burna Boy, already a Grammy award winner, returns with his single "Love" in the same category, while Ayra Starr teams up with Wizkid on "Gimme Dat" to complete the Nigerian representation. They face competition from Uganda's Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin with "Hope & Love" and South Africa's Tyla with "PUSH 2 START."
Burna Boy's Double Nomination Achievement
In a remarkable achievement, Burna Boy has secured two nominations for the 2026 ceremony. Beyond his Best African Music Performance nod, his album "No Sign of Weakness" has been nominated in the competitive Best Global Music Album category.
The African Giant will compete against legendary artists including Senegalese icon Youssou N'Dour with "Eclairer le Monde – Light the World," Beninese superstar Angélique Kidjo for "Jerusalema," and India's Anoushka Shankar with "Chapter III: We Return to Light."
Ceremony Details and Category Updates
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event will honor musical works released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025.
This year's awards introduce significant updates to the Grammy process, including the addition of two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. These changes reflect the Recording Academy's ongoing efforts to recognize diverse musical expressions and artistic contributions.
The nominations highlight the continued global influence of Afrobeats and African music, with Nigerian artists maintaining their position at the forefront of this cultural movement. Music fans worldwide eagerly await the results, which will be revealed during the live broadcast from Los Angeles next year.
