Nigerian music superstars Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Omah Lay, Tems, Ayra Starr, and several others have been nominated for the 2026 Headies Awards.
The full list of nominees was released Tuesday on the Headies Awards’ official Instagram page, @the_headies, highlighting artists across a wide range of categories.
The 18th edition of the Headies is set to take place on October 25 in Toronto, Canada, bringing together top talent and influential figures from the Nigerian and African music industries.
Burna Boy’s “No Sign of Weakness,” Wizkid’s “Morayo,” Omah Lay’s “Clarity of Mind,” along with Fola’s “Catharsis,” Erigga’s “G.O.A.T,” Odumodublvck’s “The Machine Is Coming,” and Tiwa Savage’s “This One Is Personal” are all in the running for the prestigious Album of the Year award.
Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You” earned nominations for both Song of the Year and Afrobeats Single of the Year, while Tems’ “Love is a Kingdom” received a nod for Best R&B Album. Ayra Starr’s “Hot Body” is also up for Song of the Year, alongside Kunmie’s “Arike,” Fido’s “Joy Is Coming,” and “MMS” by Asake and Wizkid.
In the Best Performer (Live) category, Adekunle Gold, Asake, Ayra Starr, Johnny Drille, and Ruger are recognized for their standout live performances at major venues and events.
Nominees for Best Recording of the Year include Kunmie’s “Arike,” Amaeya’s “How Do You?,” Rema’s “Baby (Is It a Crime),” Omah Lay and Elmah’s “Coping Mechanism,” Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You,” and Fola’s “You.”
For Best Alternative Album, the contenders are SDC, Sewa, BOJ, Wizard Chan, Scottyolorin, and Zaylevelten. Meanwhile, Asake, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Chella, Fola, Mavo, Seyi Vibez, and Wizkid are nominated for Digital Artiste of the Year.
The Next Rated category, which spotlights rising stars, features Fido, Fola, Llona, Mavo, and Shoday as this year’s breakout artists competing for one of the Headies’ most coveted honors.
(NAN)
