Nigeria’s global music dominance isn’t slowing down, and the 2026 Grammy Awards might just be another chapter in that story. With Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr officially submitting songs and albums for Grammy consideration, Afrobeats continues to stand tall as one of the most influential genres shaping world sound today. From Album of the Year to Record of the Year and Best African Music Performance, the trio is gunning for both global and continental recognition.
Wizkid Leads Nigeria’s Grammy Charge
For Wizkid, it’s business as usual—global ambition, effortless delivery. His 2025 project Morayo is up for Album of the Year and Best Global Album, making it one of the few African albums positioned in the Grammys’ most prestigious category. The album, named after his mother, blends lush instrumentation with soulful storytelling, reaffirming Wizkid’s mastery of subtle, cross-cultural sound.
Then there’s Piece of My Heart, a standout single that has been submitted for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best African Music Performance. Smooth, melodic, and emotionally charged, it’s the kind of song that captures both global audiences and Grammy voters alike.
Adding to his roster, Wizkid’s visually stunning Kese (Dance) is competing in Best Music Video, showcasing his knack for pairing Afro-fusion rhythms with captivating visuals. And just when fans thought he was done, he teamed up with Olamide and Darkoo for Billionaires Club, a high-energy anthem submitted in Best African Music Performance—a collaboration that celebrates Afrobeats’ spirit of unity and innovation.
Burna Boy Targets Top Grammy Categories
If there’s one thing Burna Boy refuses to do, it’s play small. His eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness, dropped in July 2025 and is already submitted for Album of the Year and Best Global Album. The 16-track project, featuring Travis Scott, Mick Jagger, Stromae, and Shaboozey, cements his ambition to keep pushing Afrobeats beyond borders.
His single Love, a heartfelt and rhythm-heavy song from the same album, has been submitted for Best African Music Performance, further positioning Burna Boy as both the genre’s ambassador and its most fearless innovator.
And in the Best Global Music Performance category, Burna Boy links up with French-Congolese artist Joé Dwèt Filé on Kampé III, proving once again that his musical fluency transcends languages and continents.
Also, read: Wizkid Declares Independence from Afrobeats with Upcoming Album ‘Morayo’
Ayra Starr Steps Boldly Into the Big Leagues
The youngest of the trio, Ayra Starr, is no longer the “new girl” on the block—she’s a heavyweight contender in her own right. Her breakout single Hot Body has been submitted for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, two of the Grammys’ most coveted categories. The track, produced by Ragee and mixed by Johnny Drille, fuses Afrobeats, pop, and dancehall in a way that feels both sensual and empowering.
Billboard called it “a steamy slow-wine groove,” while fans hailed it as an anthem of self-confidence. The video, directed by Claire Bishara, elevated her artistry even further, spotlighting Ayra as one of the genre’s most global-facing stars.
Her collaboration with Wizkid, Gimme Dat, adds another Grammy hopeful to her list, competing for Best African Music Performance and Best Music Video. The track, which cleverly samples Mary J. Blige and Wyclef Jean’s 911, blends nostalgia with modern Afropop rhythm—a fusion that perfectly captures where the genre is heading.
Nigeria’s Grammy Moment
With submissions spanning the Grammys’ biggest categories, the stage is set for Nigeria to potentially score multiple nominations once again. The Recording Academy will vote on the entries in the coming weeks, with official nominees announced in November 2025.
If the momentum holds, 2026 could be a record-breaking year for Afrobeats—and for Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr, it’s not just about winning Grammys; it’s about cementing Nigeria’s legacy in global music history.
