Elevated experiences celebrating the culture through dance and rhythm
Elevated experiences celebrating the culture through dance and rhythm
The 2026 Headies Awards are shaping up to be one of the most competitive years yet, with a fresh wave of talent competing alongside Afrobeats royalty. Set to take place in Canada this October, the nominations reveal a fascinating snapshot of Nigerian music’s current landscape—where emerging artists are going toe-to-toe with established superstars for the industry’s most coveted honors.
Leading the charge is rising star Fola, who’s captured an impressive 10 nominations across major categories. His breakout hit “You” has earned him nods for Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best R&B Single, Best Vocal Performance (Male), and Songwriter of the Year. His album Catharsis is also competing for Album of the Year and Best R&B Album, while he’s up for Digital Artiste of the Year and Next Rated—proving that 2026 has been nothing short of a breakthrough year for the artist.
The competition intensifies with two heavyweights tied at 7 nominations each: Wizkid and Omah Lay. Starboy’s critically acclaimed Morayo album has earned him nominations for both Album of the Year and Afrobeats Album of the Year, while his collaborations continue to dominate—”MMS” is up for Song of the Year, and “Jogodo” for Afrobeats Single of the Year. Meanwhile, Omah Lay’s “With You” has swept through multiple categories, including Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best R&B Single, cementing his position as one of the genre’s most compelling voices.
Rounding out the top nominees are Asake, Davido, and Mavo, each securing 6 nominations. Asake’s dynamic performance at Red Bull Symphonic earned him a Best Performer (Live) nomination, alongside recognition in major categories like Best Male Artiste and Digital Artiste of the Year. Davido’s feature on “With You” continues to prove his Midas touch, garnering nominations across Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Music Video of the Year. Meanwhile, Mavo represents the new generation of Nigerian hip-hop, with nominations spanning Best Rap Single for “Wuse Tu” and multiple Best Collaboration nods for “Body (Danz)” and “Escaladizzy.” As October approaches, all eyes will be on Canada to see who takes home the crown in what promises to be an unforgettable night for African music.
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