Davido, Burna Boy & Omah Lay Make History with Joint 2026 GRAMMY Nominations — Afrobeats Triumphs on the Global Stage

Davido, Burna Boy, and Omah Lay Unite as Nigeria Shines at the 2026 GRAMMY Awards 

In a historic moment for African music, three of Nigeria’s biggest Afrobeats stars — Davido, Burna Boy, and Omah Lay — have been nominated together for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards, marking another milestone in the global rise of Afrobeats. This isn’t just another nomination list; it’s a powerful statement. For the first time, three Nigerian artists from the same generation, each with distinct styles and massive global followings, are competing in the same category — Best African Music Performance — a category that only debuted in 2024 but has already become one of the most anticipated segments of music’s biggest night.

The nominations spotlight two standout tracks: 

Davido and Omah Lay’s soul-stirring collaboration “With You”, and Burna Boy’s emotionally charged anthem “Love”. Each song represents not just chart success, but a deeper narrative of love, resilience, and cultural identity — themes that resonate far beyond Nigeria’s borders.

The Songs That Made History

Let’s start with “With You”. Released in mid-2025, the track was an instant fan favorite, blending Davido’s signature high-energy delivery with Omah Lay’s introspective, melodic vulnerability. The chemistry between the two was undeniable — Davido’s bold, celebratory verses contrasting beautifully with Omah Lay’s smooth, almost whispered confessions of devotion. Produced by rising beatmaker P.Priime, the song fuses log drums, soft guitar riffs, and subtle highlife influences into a modern Afrobeats masterpiece

“I no fit lie, na you dey cool my temper… With you, I dey complete.”

— Davido & Omah Lay, 

The music video, shot between Lagos and Cape Town, has already surpassed 180 million views on YouTube, with fans praising its cinematic storytelling and vibrant representation of African romance. Critics have called it “the soundtrack of a generation in love,” and now, the Recording Academy agrees.

On the other side of the nomination coin stands Burna Boy with “Love” — a slower, more reflective single that showcases the Grammy winner’s evolution as an artist. Known for his fiery anthems like “Ye” and “Last Last”, Burna surprised fans with this tender, acoustic-leaning ballad. Backed by live instrumentation — including talking drums and a haunting flute solo — “Love” is Burna at his most vulnerable.

“If I no get you, wetin I gain? My heart no fit love again…”

— Burna Boy, Love

The song debuted at #1 on Spotify Nigeria and held the top spot for eight consecutive weeks. It also became a viral sensation on TikTok, with over 3 million user-generated videos using the sound — from wedding proposals to emotional reunions. Burna Boy, who won the inaugural Best Global Music Performance award in 2021 for Twice as Tall, now has a chance to make history again — this time in the dedicated African category.

A Category That Changed Everything

The introduction of the Best African Music Performance category in 2024 was a long-overdue acknowledgment of Africa’s growing influence in global pop culture. Before its creation, African artists were often funneled into the broader “Global Music” field, competing against Latin, reggae, and world music acts. Now, with a category of their own, artists like Wizkid (2025 nominee), Tyla (2024 winner), and now Davido, Burna, and Omah Lay, have a dedicated platform to shine.

This shift didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of years of advocacy from African artists, producers, and industry leaders who argued that Afrobeats — a genre born in Lagos nightlife in the early 2000s — had grown into a billion-dollar global industry. Today, Afrobeats accounts for over 1.5 billion streams monthly on Spotify alone, with Nigeria leading the charge.

More Than Music: A Cultural Movement

But this moment is bigger than three nominations. It’s about representation. Davido, Burna Boy, and Omah Lay aren’t just musicians — they’re cultural ambassadors. Davido, the son of a billionaire businessman, has used his platform to bridge street credibility with global luxury. Burna Boy, self-styled as the “African Giant,” has consistently fused activism with artistry, speaking out on police brutality, corruption, and Pan-African unity. Omah Lay, the quiet storm from Port Harcourt, represents the new wave — introspective, genre-bending, and unapologetically emotional.

Together, they embody the diversity of Nigerian youth: ambitious, resilient, and deeply proud of their roots.

Their success has also opened doors for others. Young producers like Magicsticks and Rexxie are now household names in L.A. studios. Fashion brands like Orange Culture and Tokyo James are dressing Grammy performers. Even Nigerian jollof is making cameo appearances at pre-award brunches.

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The Road to the 2026 GRAMMYs

The 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place on February 8, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. While predictions are split — some favor Burna Boy’s established legacy, others root for the fresh energy of Davido and Omah Lay — one thing is certain: Nigeria wins either way.

Fans have already begun campaigning online with hashtags like #AfrobeatsToTheWorld, #GrammyNaija, and #WithYouOrLove. Afrobeats playlists are dominating global charts, and Apple Music has launched a special “Road to the GRAMMYs: Nigeria” playlist featuring all three artists.

Davido, ever the optimist, tweeted: