Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid formally submit their nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards.
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Another historic moment for Afrobeats on the international scene has come with the formal submission of Nigerian music icons Wizkid, Ayra Starr, and Burna Boy's compositions for inclusion in the 2026 GRAMMY Awards.
The three internationally renowned Nigerian musicians have continuously pushed the limits of African music and are aiming to receive nominations in a number of important categories before the esteemed award ceremony takes place the following year.
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the Recording Academy launched the Online Entry Process (OEP) for the much awaited 2026 GRAMMY Awards. The OEP ended on Friday, August 29, 2025. officially kicking off the new Grammy season. The 68th GRAMMY Awards will be held live at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 1, 2026, and throughout this time, eligible artists, producers, and media businesses can submit their songs, albums, and music videos for possible nomination.
All eligible entries must be submitted for assessment during this time period by registered media businesses and Recording Academy members. Only submissions made during this designated time frame will be taken into account for the ballot in 2026. On Friday, November 7, 2025, the official 2026 GRAMMY Award nominees will be revealed.
In September 2025, Intel Region announced that Davido had joined the Recording Academy's voting membership. The Afrobeats artist will have the chance to vote for his colleague even though he did not submit his project for the 68th Grammy Awards. Four Grammy nominations have already been given to Davido, including three for the 2024 66th Annual Grammy Awards and one for the 2025 ceremony.
Wizkid's official 2026 Grammy submission
Wizkid, who won Best Music Video for "Brown Skin Girl" with Beyoncé in 2021, is attempting to add another Grammy to his collection with this submission. According to reports, the head of Starboy Entertainment submitted songs from his most recent project, a collection of work that showcases his development, attractiveness on a global scale, and proficiency with sound blending. On social media, fans are already giddy with anticipation, hoping that Wizkid will regain his Grammy glory.The projects that Wizkid submitted are as follows:
i. Morayo: Best Worldwide Album, Album of the Year
ii. Piece of My Heart: Best African Music Performance, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year
iii. Best African Music Performance at the Billionaires Club
iv. Best Music Video: Kese (Dance)
v. The Best African Music Performance: Gimme Dat
Burna Boy's official GRAMMY nomination for 2026
Burna Boy, a regular GRAMMY candidate, has entered the 2026 competition as well. The self-described African Giant has already received numerous nominations and won a Grammy in 2021 for Best Global Music Album. His 2024 GRAMMY performance will be remembered as one of the greatest the show has ever seen. Given that Burna Boy continues to be one of Africa's most powerful voices on the GRAMMY stage, his participation is hardly surprising.The projects that Burna Boy submitted are as follows:
I. No Sign of Weakness: Best Global Album, Album of the Year II. Kampé II: Best Worldwide Music Performance Love: Best African Music Performance III.4
The official 2026 GRAMMY nomination for Ayra Starr
One of the youngest Nigerian female musicians to compete on such a worldwide scale is Ayra Starr, the rapidly emerging Mavin Records phenomenon who has also submitted for a Grammy. Her popular song "Rush" received a nomination in 2024, therefore she is not a novice. Fans and journalists around the world have praised her for her distinctive fusion of pop, Afrobeats, and deep vocals.The projects that Ayra Starr submitted are as follows:
I. Main Body: Song of the Year II, Record of the Year I. Gimme Dat: Best Music Video, Best African Music Performance.
Wizkid, Ayra Starr, and Burna Boy's offerings highlight the enormous influence of Afrobeats on the development of the modern world of music. Nigerian musicians have dominated global charts, played at international festivals, and teamed up with A-list performers from other continents in recent years.
