The Recording Academy has unveiled the 2026 Grammy Awards nominations, spotlighting a rich mix of international superstars, breakthrough talents, and African heavyweights with Nigeria once again making a strong showing on the world stage.

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, celebrating the best in global music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025.

This year’s awards also introduce two new categories Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover marking another evolution in the prestigious ceremony.

Leading the pack is Kendrick Lamar with nine nominations, followed by Lady Gaga, who scored seven nods, including her fifth Album of the Year nomination for “MAYHEM.”

Nigerian Stars Shine Bright

Nigeria continues to dominate the African and Global Music categories, with Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid earning nominations alongside continental legends like Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), Tyla (South Africa) and Youssou N’Dour (Senegal).

Burna Boy leads the Nigerian contingent with two nominations:

• Best African Music Performance (“Love”)
• Best Global Music Album (“No Sign of Weakness”)

Davido also earned a nod for Best African Music Performance with “With You” featuring Omah Lay, while Ayra Starr and Wizkid scored a joint nomination for “Gimme Dat.”

Other contenders in the category include Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin (“Hope & Love”) and Tyla (“Push 2 Start”).

In the Best Global Music Album category, Burna Boy faces stiff competition from Youssou N’Dour (“Éclairer le Monde – Light the World”), Angélique Kidjo, and India’s Anoushka Shankar (“Chapter III: We Return to Light”).

Highlights From the 2026 Grammy Nominations

Album of the Year

• Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
• Justin Bieber – Swag
• Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
• Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out
• Lady Gaga – Mayhem
• Kendrick Lamar – GNX
• Leon Thomas – Mutt
• Tyler, The Creator – Chromakopia

Record of the Year

• Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
• Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”
• Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
• Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “Luther”
• Rosé and Bruno Mars – “APT.”

Song of the Year

• Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
• Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
• Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “Luther”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
• Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”

Best African Music Performance

• Burna Boy – “Love”
• Davido ft. Omah Lay – “With You”
• Ayra Starr ft. Wizkid – “Gimme Dat”
• Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin – “Hope & Love”
• Tyla – “Push 2 Start”

Best Global Music Album

• Burna Boy – No Sign of Weakness
• Youssou N’Dour – Éclairer le Monde – Light the World
• Anoushka Shankar – Chapter III: We Return to Light
• Shakti – Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live)
• Caetano Veloso & Maria Bethânia – Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo

African Excellence on the World Stage

The 2026 Grammys reaffirm Africa’s growing global influence in music, especially as Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Afro-fusion sounds continue to dominate charts and playlists worldwide.

With Burna Boy eyeing another Grammy victory and Davido, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid securing key nominations, Nigerian music’s global momentum remains unstoppable.

The 68th Grammy Awards will air live worldwide on February 1, 2026, promising electrifying performances and unforgettable moments from the biggest names in global music.

2026 GRAMMYS: See The Full Nominations List

Nigerian highlife sensation Flavour has announced his upcoming single “Afroculture”, featuring legendary Senegalese griot Baaba Maal, set for release on October 29, 2025.

The song blends Igbo rhythms, griot storytelling, and mbalax beats, creating a rich fusion of West African sounds. The accompanying music video, directed by TG Omori, features vibrant visuals of traditional dancers, sunlit landscapes, and expressive cultural motifs that celebrate pan-African identity and heritage.

Since the announcement, Afroculture has generated major buzz across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with fans praising the collaboration as a landmark moment for African music unity.

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The ongoing feud between Nigerian rappers Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez intensified on Saturday, October 18, 2025, after a viral video showed Odumodublvck confronting Blaqbonez’s female manager at an event in Uyo, sparking widespread reactions across the music industry.

The confrontation reportedly followed the release of Blaqbonez’s diss track “ACL”, featured on his newly released album No Excuses, in which he accused Odumodublvck of stream farming and chasing clout.

Shortly after the song’s release, leaked direct messages allegedly sent by Odumodublvck surfaced online, containing threats of physical harm toward Blaqbonez. The situation escalated further when sources close to Blaqbonez’s camp alleged that Odumodublvck had previously spat on the manager during a prior altercation.

The viral Uyo video shows Odumodublvck engaging in a heated exchange with Blaqbonez’s manager before being restrained by security personnel and event organizers.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Odumodublvck nor Blaqbonez has issued an official statement addressing the incident, though both artists’ fanbases have taken to social media to debate the conflict and call for restraint.

The altercation adds a new layer of tension to what has been one of Nigerian hip-hop’s most publicized rivalries in recent years, pitting two of the genre’s biggest voices against each other in a clash blending music, ego, and controversy.

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Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck real name Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu is set to officially released his long-awaited 23-track album, Industry Machine, at midnight under Kalacious Entertainment, Native Records, and Def Jam Recordings.

Blending gritty street tales with his signature fusion of Afro-rap, drill, and highlife influences, Odumodublvck’s Industry Machine celebrates his Ekenne roots while showcasing his global versatility.

The star-studded project features Afrobeats giants Davido and Wizkid, alongside international acts Skepta, Stormzy, and Seun Kuti. Early fan favorites include “Grooving” featuring Davido and Seun Kuti, and “Big Time” featuring Wizkid, both already trending across social media platforms.

With Industry Machine the Album, Odumodublvck is set to cements his place as one of Africa’s most dynamic and outspoken new-generation artists.

Lagos to the world! Last night, Global Citizen Festival turned into an Afrobeats takeover when Ayra Starr pulled the ultimate surprise bringing out Rema mid set.

The crowd LOST it as the duo lit up the stage with an electrifying performance of Rema’s mega-hit “Calm Down.”

Fans sang every lyric, phones shot up in the air, and social media went WILD, instantly crowning the pair as the night’s highlight.

Fashion? On point. Energy? Unmatched. Chemistry?

Ayra and Rema didn’t just perform… they OWNED the festival. X formerly Twitter and Instagram are already dubbing it the Afrobeats shut-down of the year.

One fan screamed: “This is history! Afrobeats is running the world now!!”
Another joked: “At this point, Global Citizen should just rename it Global Afrobeats Festival.”

No lies detected. With moments like these, Ayra Starr and Rema are proving they’re not just stars they’re GLOBAL icons.

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