Nigerian Afrobeats stars Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, and Temilade Openiyi, also known as Tems, have secured nominations at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). The nominations were announced on Tuesday ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27. Burna Boy received two nominations for his collaboration with Colombian singer Shakira on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup song, “Dai Dai.” The Grammy-winning singer is nominated in the Best Collaboration category, where he faces Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice for “Chains & Whips”; French Montana and Max B for “Ever Since U Left Me”; Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter for “Bring Your Love”; PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson for “Stateside”; and Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye for “Hard Part.” “Dai Dai” also earned Burna Boy a nomination in the Best Latin category. He will compete against Anitta and Shakira, Bad Bunny, Fuerza Regida, Karol G, Rosalía featuring Yahritza y Su Esencia, and Ryan Castro, Kapo and Gangsta. Tems, meanwhile, received a Best R&B nomination for her collaboration with British rapper Dave on “Raindance.” The duo will compete against Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might,” Chris Brown’s “It Depends/Obvious,” Justin Bieber’s “Yukon,” Kehlani’s “Folded,” and Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis’ “Is It a Crime.” Madonna leads the 2026 nominations with 11 nods, while Taylor Swift follows with nine. The 2026 VMAs will be broadcast live on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+. Fans can vote in most categories daily until September 25 at 6 p.m. ET. Notably, the Best Afrobeats category, which featured in previous editions of the awards, is not included in this year’s nominations. South African singer Tyla won the category in 2025 with “Push 2 Start”, defeating Nigerian nominees Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Tems and Asake. Tyla had also won the award in 2024 for “Water”, while Rema and Selena Gomez claimed the inaugural Best Afrobeats award in 2023 for “Calm Down.” The MTV VMAs, established in 1984, recognise outstanding music videos, songs and artists and are traditionally associated with the iconic Moonperson trophy. Full list of 2026 MTV VMA nominees Video of the Year Ariana Grande – Hate that I made you love me Bruno Mars – I Just Might GENER8ION – STORM starring Yung Lean Madonna – Confessions II – The Film Sabrina Carpenter – Tears Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia Artist of the Year Ariana Grande Bruno Mars Madonna Morgan Wallen Sabrina Carpenter Taylor Swift Song of the Year BTS – Swim Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI – Golden Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love Olivia Dean – Man I Need PinkPantheress – Stateside + Zara Larsson RAYE – WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! Best New Artist Bella Kay CORTIS Magnus Ferrell Malcolm Todd Myles Smith Sienna Spiro Stella Lefty Best Collaboration Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice – Chains & Whips French Montana x Max B – Ever Since U Left Me Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love PinkPantheress – Stateside + Zara Larsson Shakira & Burna Boy – Dai Dai Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – Hard Part Best Pop Ariana Grande – hate that i made you love me Charli xcx – SS26 LISA – Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi Olivia Rodrigo – drop dead Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia Best Hip-Hop Cardi B ft. Kehlani – Safe Don Toliver – E85 Drake – Janice STFU Megan Thee Stallion – LOVER GIRL Travis Scott – DUMBO Tyler, The Creator – SUGAR ON MY TONGUE Best R&B Bruno Mars – I Just Might Chris Brown – It Depends/Obvious Dave & Tems – Raindance Justin Bieber – YUKON Kehlani – Folded Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis – Is It a Crime Best Alternative Geese – Taxes mgk & Fred Durst – FIX UR FACE Noah Kahan – The Great Divide Olivia Rodrigo – the cure SOMBR – Homewrecker Tame Impala – Dracula twenty one pilots – Drag Path Best Dance Bebe Rexha & Faithless – New Religion Harry Styles – Aperture Lady Gaga & Doechii – RUNWAY Madonna – Confessions II – The Film PinkPantheress – Stateside + Zara Larsson Slayyyter – DANCE… Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl Best Latin Anitta with Shakira – Choka Choka Bad Bunny – NUEVAYoL Fuerza Regida – TU SANCHO KAROL G – Papasito Rosalía ft. Yahritza Y Su Ese
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