Fola, Shoday, Mavo, Fido, Llona Make Headies Next Rated Shortlist

Five emerging Nigerian music stars — Fola, Shoday, Mavo, Fido and Llona — have secured nominations in the highly anticipated Next Rated category of the 18th Headies Awards.

The organisers unveiled the nominees for the 2026 edition on Tuesday, with the Next Rated category once again highlighting artistes who made a significant impact on the Nigerian music scene during the review period.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the 18th Headies ceremony is scheduled to hold in Canada, with the awards set to celebrate some of the most outstanding contributions to Nigerian music.

Fola stands out among the new generation of artistes with multiple nominations. His hit single, “You,” earned him nods in the Next Rated, Afrobeats Single of the Year and Best Recording of the Year categories. He was also nominated for Best R&B Album for Catharsis and Digital Artiste of the Year.

Shoday also made the Next Rated shortlist following the success of “Hey Jago,” his collaboration with Poco Lee and Rahman Jago. The track further earned a nomination in the Song of the Year category.

Mavo secured nominations for both Next Rated and Digital Artiste of the Year after a series of releases that helped raise his profile during 2025.

Fido equally earned a place among the contenders for the Next Rated award. His songs “Joy Is Coming” and “Fun” also received recognition, with nominations for Song of the Year and Afrobeats Single of the Year respectively.

Completing the Next Rated lineup is Llona, whose growing popularity and increasing influence have positioned him as one of the emerging artistes attracting attention within Nigeria’s music industry.

Beyond the Next Rated category, several established names dominated other major categories. Song of the Year nominees include Kunmie’s “Arike,” “Hey Jago” by Poco Lee, Shoday and Rahman Jago, Ayra Starr’s “Hot Body,” Fido’s “Joy Is Coming,” Asake and Wizkid’s “MMS,” and Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You.”

The Afrobeats Single of the Year category features Rema’s “Fun,” Asake and Wizkid’s “Jogodo,” Shallipopi’s “Laho,” Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You,” Fola’s “You” and Burna Boy’s “Bundle By Bundle.”

In the Best R&B Album category, nominees include Kunmie’s Before We Became Strangers, Fola’s Catharsis, Qing Madi’s I Am the Blueprint, Tems’ Love Is a Kingdom, Tay Iwar’s Reflection Station and Tiwa Savage’s This One Is Personal.

The Digital Artiste of the Year category also features a strong lineup comprising Asake, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Chella, Fola, Mavo, Seyi Vibez and Wizkid.

The organisers said the 18th edition of the Headies will honour exceptional achievements and celebrate the continued growth and influence of Nigerian music on the global stage.