Tems and Burna Boy are the only Nigerian artists among the nominees for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, announced this week.
Tems earns Best R&B nomination for “Raindance”
Tems is nominated for Best R&B for “Raindance,” her collaboration with British rapper Dave. Burna Boy is nominated in two categories—Best Collaboration and Best Latin—for “Dai Dai,” his track with Shakira.
The 2026 VMAs will take place on September 27 in Los Angeles and air live on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and Paramount+.
Tems’ VMA nomination adds to historic Grammy run
Tems’ nomination continues her established path into R&B recognition. She became the first Nigerian artist to win two Grammy Awards—Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023 for her feature on Future and Drake’s “Wait for U,” and Best African Music Performance in 2025 for “Love Me JeJe.”
She previously earned VMA nominations in 2022 (Best Hip-Hop and Song of Summer for “Wait for U”), 2024 (Best Afrobeats for “Love Me JeJe”), and 2025 (Best Afrobeats for “Get It Right” with Asake).
Burna Boy earns two VMA nods for “Dai Dai”
Burna Boy’s dual nods for “Dai Dai” build on his consistent international presence. The song served as an official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; he and Shakira performed it at the tournament’s opening ceremony and the final’s first-ever halftime show. He previously received multiple VMA nominations in Best Afrobeats categories and won Video for Good in 2025 for “Higher.” He won a Grammy for Best Global Music Album with Twice as Tall in 2021.
No other Nigerian artists appear on the full 2026 nomination list across major categories. The ceremony will feature fan voting in most categories through late September.
Author
