Nigerian Music Stars Ignite Grammy Hopes with 2026 Nominations List

The 2026 Grammy Awards are set for February 1, 2026, at Los Angeles’ renowned Crypto.com Arena. The Recording Academy unveiled the full list of nominees on Friday in a globally streamed broadcast. Fans can catch the ceremony live on CBS and stream it afterward via Paramount+. This year’s edition expands its artistic scope with two new categories; Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover reaffirming the Academy’s commitment to celebrating a wider range of creative expression in an ever-evolving music landscape.

Nigerian Afrobeats stars continue to make waves on the global stage, with Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid all scoring Grammy nominations. Burna Boy earned two nods: Best African Music Performance for “Love” and Best Global Music Album for “No Sign of Weakness.” The African category is stacked with powerful contenders, including Davido’s “With You” (featuring Omah Lay), Ayra Starr’s “Gimme Dat” (featuring Wizkid), Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin’s “Hope & Love,” and Tyla’s “PUSH 2 START.” This strong lineup not only showcases Africa’s vibrant musical evolution but also underscores the genre’s growing international influence.

In the Best Global Music Album category, Burna Boy will go head-to-head with legends such as Youssou N'Dour (“Éclairer le Monde – Light the World”), Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia, Anoushka Shankar, Siddhant Bhatia, and Shakti (“Mind Explosion [50th Anniversary Tour Live]”). This diverse field highlights the Academy’s dedication to recognizing artists who blend traditional and modern sounds in innovative ways.

Leading the nominations overall is Kendrick Lamar with nine nods, followed by Lady Gaga with seven, making her the most-nominated female artist of 2026. Gaga also lands her fifth Album of the Year nomination for her critically acclaimed project “MAYHEM.” Other major categories include Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, featuring artists like Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler, The Creator, and Billie Eilish, further emphasizing this year’s dynamic blend of genres and global representation.

The Grammys’ inclusion of Nigerian artists across high-profile categories continues to validate the continent’s impact on global music culture. As Afrobeats cements its mainstream dominance, fans and critics alike anticipate whether Nigeria will finally secure another golden gramophone, reinforcing its status as a powerhouse in modern sound and storytelling.