A wave of Nigerian talent crashed into the 2026 Grammy nominations Friday, with Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy and Wizkid securing spots in the Best African Music Performance category, while Burna Boy also vied for Best Global Music Album honours.
The Recording Academy unveiled the nominees for its 68th annual awards, spotlighting Afrobeats’ global surge through tracks like Davido and Omah Lay’s collaborative hit “With You” and Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s “Gimme Dat.” Burna Boy, a previous winner, earned dual recognition for his single “Love” and album No Sign of Weakness.
The Best African Music Performance field also includes Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin’s “Hope & Love” and Tyla’s “PUSH 2 START,” underscoring the continent’s diverse sonic footprint.
Amid the excitement, rising star Omah Lay — whose real name is Stanley Omah Didia — tempered the hype in a candid Instagram post, marking his Grammy debut with nonchalance. “I’m excited about this Grammy nomination haha but fr fr I don’t give a sh!t about awards,” the singer wrote, prioritising personal bonds over accolades.
He reserved special praise for collaborator Davido, whom he called “the realest friend I’ve had in while, he stood by during my hardest times,” adding a heartfelt wish: “I want him to win.”
The nominations cap a banner year for Nigerian music on the world stage, following Burna Boy’s past victories and the genre’s streaming dominance. The full ceremony airs February 2 in Los Angeles, with winners decided by a vote of over 11,000 Academy members.
