Battle For Supremacy! Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy Lead Star-Studded 2026 Headies Nominations

The organisers of the Headies Awards have unveiled the nominees for the 18th edition of the prestigious music awards, with Nigerian music heavyweights Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy emerging among the biggest contenders.

The 2026 Headies ceremony is scheduled to hold in Canada, with several of Nigeria’s leading artistes competing for honours across major categories.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy are all in contention for some of the night’s biggest awards, including Afrobeats Album of the Year, Best Male Artiste, Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year and Best Collaboration.

Davido secured five nominations through his collaboration with Omah Lay on the hit song “With You.” The track earned nominations in the Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best Headies Collaboration and Viewers’ Choice categories.

Wizkid also received multiple nominations, with “MMS,” featuring Asake, and “Jogodo” earning recognition in major categories. His album “Morayo” is nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year, while the singer is also in contention for Digital Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste and Viewers’ Choice.

Burna Boy’s “Bundle by Bundle” earned nominations for Afrobeats Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year. His album “No Sign of Weakness” is also competing for Afrobeats Album of the Year, while the Grammy-winning artiste received a nomination for Best Male Artiste.

The Next Rated category is expected to generate significant attention, with emerging artistes Fido, Fola, Llona, Mavo and Shoday battling for the coveted award.

Fola emerged as one of the standout nominees after securing several nominations across different categories. His song “You” is nominated for Afrobeats Single of the Year, while his album “Catharsis” is in contention for Best R&B Album. He also received nominations for Best Recording of the Year, Digital Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste, Best Headies Collaboration for “Lost” with Kizz Daniel and Writer of the Year.

Mavo also received multiple nominations, including Digital Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste, Best Headies Collaboration for “Body (Danz)” with CKay, Rap Single for “Wuse Tu” with Zaylevelten and Viewers’ Choice.

Other major artistes featured among the nominees include Rema, Ayra Starr, Tems, Asake, Adekunle Gold, Tiwa Savage, Qing Madi, Seyi Vibez, BNXN, Omah Lay, Olamide, Odumodublvck, Victony and Teni.

The Song of the Year category features Kunmie’s “Arike,” Poco Lee, Shoday and Rahman Jago’s “Hey Jago,” Ayra Starr’s “Hot Body,” Fido’s “Joy Is Coming,” Asake and Wizkid’s “MMS,” Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You,” and Fola’s “You.”

For Afrobeats Single of the Year, nominees include Rema’s “Fun,” Asake and Wizkid’s “Jogodo,” Shallipopi’s “Laho,” Fola’s “You,” Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You,” and Burna Boy’s “Bundle by Bundle.”

The Best Male Artiste category features Adekunle Gold, Asake, Fola, Mavo, Rema, Wizkid and Burna Boy, while the Best Female Artiste category includes Ayra Starr, Qing Madi, Sewa, Tems, Teni and Tiwa Savage.

The Afrobeats Album of the Year category will see Davido’s “5ive,” BNXN’s “Captain,” Omah Lay’s “Clarity of Mind,” Adekunle Gold’s “Fuji,” Wizkid’s “Morayo” and Burna Boy’s “No Sign of Weakness” compete for the award.

The 18th Headies nominations also spotlight international talents, with artistes from Africa and beyond represented across several categories. International Artiste of the Year nominees include Ciara, Dave, Gunna, Jazmine Sullivan, Shenseea and Tiakola.

The organisers have also recognised producers, songwriters, vocalists and emerging talents, highlighting the depth and diversity of Nigeria’s contemporary music industry.

With Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy featuring prominently across several major categories, the 2026 Headies is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched editions of the awards.