Nigeria’s grip on global music continues to strengthen, and the 2026 Grammy Awards submissions prove it. From Wizkid to Burna Boy and Ayra Starr, Afrobeats is once again making a strong statement across major international categories, reflecting how far the genre has evolved from the streets of Lagos to the global stage.
The 2026 Grammy Landscape
Since the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category in 2023, the Grammy Awards have become an even more influential platform for Nigerian artists. This year, submissions show Nigerian acts are no longer confined to African categories — they’re taking bold strides into top-tier ones such as Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.
Wizkid leads the nominations race with multiple entries, while Burna Boy and Ayra Starr continue to push the Afrobeats sound beyond borders. The 2026 Grammy submissions reveal just how ambitious Nigeria’s biggest stars have become.
- Wizkid – Morayo (Album of the Year, Best Global Album)
Wizkid’s sixth studio album, Morayo, released in November 2024, is a deeply personal project named after his late mother, Juliana Morayo Balogun. Translating to I see joy in Yoruba, it features collaborations with Asake, Jazmine Sullivan, Brent Faiyaz, and Tiakola. With production led by P2J, Morayo blends R&B soulfulness with Afrobeats rhythm. Its submission for Album of the Year confirms Wizkid’s global intent. - Wizkid – Piece of My Heart (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best African Music Performance)
Featuring Brent Faiyaz, this hit single cleverly samples Wu-Tang Clan’s Can It Be All So Simple. It earned widespread acclaim and won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Collaboration. Its multiple submissions show Wizkid’s reach across both global and African categories. - Wizkid – Kese (Dance) (Best Music Video)
Released in late 2024, Kese (Dance) quickly broke streaming records, hitting 10 million Spotify plays in nine days. Directed by Wizkid himself, it’s a strong contender for Best Music Video. - Wizkid, Olamide & Darkoo – Billionaires Club (Best African Music Performance)
A cross-continental anthem, this collaboration exemplifies Afrobeats’ collaborative spirit and is expected to perform well in its category. - Burna Boy – No Sign of Weakness (Album of the Year, Best Global Album)
Burna Boy’s eighth studio album, released in July 2025, continues his tradition of blending African sounds with global influences. Featuring Travis Scott, Mick Jagger, and Stromae, the project has been submitted in Album of the Year and Best Global Album, cementing Burna’s dominance on the world stage. - Burna Boy – Love (Best African Music Performance)
A soft, emotionally resonant track, Love highlights Burna Boy’s versatility. It’s his bid for another Grammy win in the African music category. - Burna Boy & Joé Dwèt Filé – Kampé III (Best Global Music Performance)
This collaboration bridges Afrobeats and French-Caribbean music, reinforcing Burna’s role as a global unifier in modern sound. - Ayra Starr – Hot Body (Record of the Year, Song of the Year)
Ayra Starr continues her rise with Hot Body, a bold blend of Afropop, dancehall, and pop. Produced by Ragee and mixed by Johnny Drille, the song celebrates self-confidence and feminine energy. Billboard called it “a steamy slow-wine groove,” and its submissions in major Grammy categories mark a huge leap for the 22-year-old star. - Ayra Starr & Wizkid – Gimme Dat (Best African Music Performance, Best Music Video)
This April 2025 release features both stars blending nostalgia and new-age Afropop, sampling Mary J. Blige and Wyclef Jean’s 911. Its dual submissions confirm Nigeria’s growing dominance in visual and sonic storytelling.
The Recording Academy will finalize its voting process in the coming weeks, with official nominees set to be announced in November 2025. Nigeria’s artists have once again proven they are not just participants — they are shaping the global soundscape.
According to a 9am News report, the country’s creative influence is now firmly rooted in Grammy history, and 2026 could be another record-breaking year for Afrobeats.
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