The Recording Academy has nominated three Nigerian musicians for the 2026 Grammy Awards.
These artists, namely Davido, Burnaboy, and Arya Starr, were nominated in the Best African Music Performance category.
According to the academy, songs like Love by Burna Boy, With You by Davido featuring Omah Lay, Hope & Love by Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin, Gimme Dat by Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid, and PUSH 2 START by South African star Tyla were in the Best African Music Performance (2026) list.
The nomination of three Nigerian artists in the 2026 Grammy Awards has sparked reactions on social media as followers of nominees storm their pages to express their joy and, in turn, mock those whose songs were not nominated.
WITHIN NIGERIA has discovered that eleven (11) Nigerian artistes have been nominated for Grammy Awards.
Here’s a list of Nigerian artists who’ve been nominated for Grammy Awards, including their songs and the year they were nominated:
BURNABOY
His full name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu. He was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt. He is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame with his 2012 single “Like to Party.” He is one of Nigeria’s most successful musicians. He has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Award. Notable nominations are: In 2019, his song ‘African Giant’ was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Global Music Category. In 2020, his song ‘Twice as Tall’ was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Global Music Album category. In 2022, his song ‘Love, Damini’ was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best African Music Performance category. In 2023, his song ‘I Told Them’ was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Global Music Category. However, Burnaboy has been nominated for Grammy Awards a total of eleven times. He won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album with his ‘Twice as Tall’ album in 2021.
TEMS
Her full name is Temilade Openiyi. She was born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos. She is a Nigerian songwriter and record producer. She rose to stardom after releasing hit singles like “Try Me” (2020) and “Damages” (2020). She has collaborated with artists like Wizkid, Davido, and Drake. She has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Award. She has been nominated for Grammy Awards a total of 8 times. She won the Best African Music Performance award in 2025 for her song “Love Me JeJe,” making her the first Nigerian artist to win the category.
WIZKID
His full name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun. He was born on July 16, 1990. He is a songwriter and record producer. He rose to fame with his hit single “Holla at Your Boy,” which was released in 2010. He has collaborated with global artists like Drake, Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar. He’s won numerous awards, including a Grammy Award. He has been nominated for Grammy Awards six times in Best Global Music Album and Best African Music Performance. He won his first Grammy Award in 2021 for Best Music Video for his collaboration with Beyoncé on “Brown Skin Girl.”
DAVIDO
His full name is David Adedeji Adeleke. He was born on November 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame with his hit single “Disko” (2011). He has collaborated with global artists like Chris Brown and Lil Baby. He’s won numerous awards, including BET Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards, but he has not won a Grammy Award. He has been nominated four times in the Best Global Music Album and Best African Music Performance categories.
ASAKE
His full name is Ahmed Ololade. He was born on January 13, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. He is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer. He rose to stardom after his hit singles ‘Omo Ope’ and ‘Sungurua.’ He has collaborated with artists like Wizkid and Olamide. He has not won a Grammy.He has been nominated for Grammy Awards twice in the Best Global Music Album and Best African Music Performance categories.
AYRA STARR
Her full name is Oluwakemi Aruleba. She was born on June 16, 1993. She is a singer and songwriter. She rose to stardom after her hit singles like “Rush” and “Idgwt.” She has collaborated with artists like Wizkid, Ckay, and Zuchu. She has not won a Grammy. She has been nominated for Grammy Awards once in the Best African Music Performance category.
YEMI ALADE
Her full name is Yemi Eberechi Alade. She was born on March 13, 1989, in Abia State. She is a singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained recognition in 2009 after winning the Peak Talent Show, which led to her singing with Effyzzie Music Group. She has won numerous awards but not a Grammy yet. She has been nominated for a Grammy Award once in the Best African Music Performance category.
LOJAY
His full name is Lekan Osifeso Jr. He was born in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria. He is a singer, songwriter, and producer. He rose to fame after his hits like “Mona Lisa” and “Moto.” He has collaborated with notable artists like Chris Brown, Davido, Wizkid, and others. He has been nominated for Grammy Awards once in the Best African Music Performance category.
REMA
His full name is Divine Ikubor. He was born on May 1, 2000, in Benin City, Edo State. He is a singer, songwriter, and producer. He rose to stardom after he was discovered on Instagram by D’Prince, who signed him to Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records. He has won numerous awards. He has collaborated with Selena Gomez, Chris Brown, and others. He has been nominated for Grammy Awards once in the Best African Music Performance category.
SEUN KUTI
He was born on May 11, 1983, in Lagos, Nigeria. He is the youngest son of legendary musician Fela Kuti. He rose to stardom when he took over as lead vocalist after his father’s demise in He was born on May 11, 1983, in Lagos, Nigeria. He is the youngest son of legendary musician Fela Kuti. He rose to stardom when he took over as lead vocalist after his father’s demise in 1997. He has won numerous awards. He has collaborated with international artists like Damon Albarn and Robert Plant.He has been nominated for Grammy Awards in the Best World Music Category for his 2018 album ‘Black Times.’ 1997. He has won numerous awards. He has collaborated with international artists like Damon Albarn and Robert Plant.He has been nominated for Grammy Awards in the Best World Music Category for his 2018 album ‘Black Times.’
FEMI KUTI
His full name is Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti. He was born on June 6, 1962, in London, England. He is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. He rose to stardom after leaving his father’s hand to form his own band, Positive Force, in 1986. He has won numerous awards. He has been nominated for Grammy Awards six times. In 2003, he was nominated for Best World Music Album for the song ‘Fight To Win.’ He was nominated in the Best Contemporary World Music Album category in 2010 for his song ‘Day by Day.’
He was nominated in the Best World Music Album category in 2012 for his song ‘Africa for Africa.’ He was nominated in the Best World Music Album category in 2014 for his song ‘No Place For My Dream.’ He was nominated for Best Global Music Performance in 2022 for his song “Pa Pa Pa.” He was nominated in the Best Global Music Album category in 2022 for his song ‘Legacy.’ However, he has not won any Grammy Award.
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