MTV Drops Best Afrobeats Category from 2026 VMAs Without Explanation

Just three years after introducing the Best Afrobeats category to recognize the genre’s explosive global rise, MTV has quietly removed it from the 2026 Video Music Awards nominations—leaving fans and industry insiders scratching their heads. The sudden exclusion comes without any official statement from the network, sparking confusion and frustration across the African music community.

The Best Afrobeats category made its historic debut at the 2023 VMAs, with Rema and Selena Gomez taking home the inaugural trophy for their unstoppable hit “Calm Down.” South African sensation Tyla then claimed back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025 for “Water” and “Push 2 Start” respectively, cementing the category’s importance in celebrating African music on one of the world’s biggest stages. Now, despite Afrobeats continuing to dominate global streaming charts and sell out arenas worldwide, MTV has inexplicably pulled the plug on dedicated recognition for the genre.

African artists haven’t been completely shut out of the 2026 nominations—Burna Boy earned a nod for Best Collaboration alongside Shakira, while Tems received recognition in the Best R&B category. But the absence of a standalone Afrobeats award raises serious questions about MTV’s commitment to honoring the genre’s unique identity and cultural impact. Adding fuel to the fire, the network also axed its long-standing Best Rock category, folding rock artists into a broader Best Alternative classification. The moves suggest MTV may be consolidating genre-specific awards, but without any public explanation, the decision feels abrupt and tone-deaf to the millions of Afrobeats fans who’ve watched the genre break barrier after barrier on the international stage.

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