There is a familiar electricity in the air as the Grammy 2026 season begins to take shape. The Recording Academy has opened the submission window and Nigeria’s biggest music stars have already staked their claim. From Burna Boy to Wizkid to Ayra Starr, the Afrobeats wave is not slowing down. In fact, it is gaining even more international footing with stronger strategies and sharper awareness of how the Grammy system works.
The 2025 Grammy Awards proved that Nigerian music is now a permanent fixture on the global stage. Tems carried home a Grammy for Love Me JeJe, Rema’s Calm Down ruled charts across continents, and Davido’s Timeless secured him long overdue recognition. Now, as new submissions flood the Academy’s servers, attention has turned to which Nigerian acts are positioning for another historic moment at the 2026 edition.
Wizkid Returns With Morayo and More
Wizkid has his eyes on the biggest categories this time. His latest project Morayo was officially submitted for Album of the Year and Best Global Album. Industry insiders describe the body of work as one of his most personal and cohesive albums since Made in Lagos, blending Afro-soul with international polish.
He did not stop there. Piece of My Heart was also sent in for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance. The self-directed visuals for Kese (Dance) were entered in the Best Music Video category, a nod to Wizkid’s growing creative direction behind the camera. One more collaboration, Billionaires Club with Olamide and Darkoo, is another entry under Best African Music Performance.
This calculated spread shows how deliberate his team has become about positioning his music beyond Afrobeats boxes. The submissions aim at both the general field and the global categories, a move that could make Wizkid one of the few African artists to compete directly with global pop heavyweights.
Burna Boy Targets the Global Fields Again
Burna Boy is coming off an extraordinary run of Grammy attention and he clearly intends to keep that streak alive. His project No Sign of Weakness was submitted for Album of the Year and Best Global Album. The record Love is in contention for Best African Music Performance, while 4 Kampé II, his collaboration with French singer Joé Dwèt Filé, entered for Best Global Music Performance.
If Burna’s past strategy is any indicator, he understands Grammy language well. His entries are consistently polished with clear international appeal while remaining rooted in African rhythms. The global music field has always been his playground and his latest submissions suggest he is not ready to leave that stage anytime soon.
Ayra Starr Steps Up With Bold Confidence
Ayra Starr is proving once again that she is not here for small wins. Her fiery hit Hot Body has been submitted for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, two of the Grammys’ most prestigious categories. She also joined Wizkid on Gimme Dat, which has been entered for Best African Music Performance and Best Music Video.
Her camp believes the combination of her growing global fanbase, consistent chart presence and youthful appeal could make her a standout nominee. If the Recording Academy responds to this energy, Ayra could easily become one of the youngest Nigerian artists to grab multiple Grammy nods in a single year.
Davido’s New Role and What It Means
Davido’s own submissions have not been made public yet, but his name is already shaping conversation for a different reason. In September 2025, he became a voting member of the Recording Academy, which means he now has a voice in who gets nominated and who wins. This move is more powerful than many realise. It gives a Nigerian artist direct influence inside the system rather than standing outside it.
Even if Davido does not push personal submissions this cycle, his membership could help shape how the Academy sees Afrobeats entries in the future. It also signals that Nigerian representation inside the Grammys is growing from performance to participation and eventually, perhaps, to policy influence.
Predictions and Possible Snubs
The early buzz suggests that Wizkid’s Morayo and Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness are front-runners in the Best Global Album category. Ayra Starr’s Hot Body could also find its way into Record of the Year nominations if her momentum holds.
However, there are whispers of possible snubs. Rema’s team has not yet confirmed a submission even though he remains one of Nigeria’s strongest global exports. Asake’s name is missing too, despite his explosive singles over the past year. Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage, both of whom have strong global collaborations, are also silent so far.
The Grammy eligibility window closed in August, which means some artists might have missed the submission deadline entirely. In a year where African music is hotter than ever, missing that window could prove costly. Nominations for the 2026 Grammys will be announced Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
Who Might Still Join the Race & What This Means for Afrobeats, Nigeria
If history is anything to go by, last-minute submissions sometimes appear from surprise corners. There is talk that Tems could still make a late push. Portable and Odumodublvck have also teased plans for Grammy submissions, though it is unclear whether those were serious or simply part of their usual showmanship.
Fans are also watching emerging names like Bloody Civilian, Shallipopi and Victony. Their recent international collaborations might earn them consideration under either Best African Music Performance or Best New Artist, depending on submission specifics.
Beyond competition, the 2026 Grammys represent something deeper for Nigeria. They signal how far Afrobeats has come from being a local sound to an institutionalized global genre. The Recording Academy’s decision to create dedicated African categories in 2023 has opened the door for fairer representation. Now, Nigerian artists are learning to play the Grammy game smartly by a submitting early, campaigning properly, collaborating globally, and staying visible throughout the voting process.
Each submission not just a song entry, but a statement that Nigerian music has matured into a global force with structure, discipline and vision. Whether Wizkid wins again, Burna Boy adds another trophy, or Ayra Starr makes history, the real victory is that Nigeria is no longer knocking on the door of the Grammys. It is already inside the room.
Conclusion
As the Recording Academy prepares to unveil official nominations in November, there is certainty that Nigeria’s flag will fly high again. With Wizkid, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr leading the charge and Davido now inside the voting circle, the odds have never looked better.
Grammy 2026 might just be another celebration of Nigerian dominance, or it could mark a new era entirely where our artists not only win awards but shape the rules themselves. Either way, the world will be watching when that red carpet rolls out next February.
