Burna Boy, Tems secure 2026 MTV VMAs nominations despite scrapped Afrobeats category

Nigerian music stars Burna Boy and Tems have secured nominations for the upcoming 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, demonstrating their continued international impact. Burna Boy received two nominations, while Tems earned one, underscoring their global reach in the music industry.

Burna Boy's nominations are in the Best Collaboration and Best Latin categories for "Dai Dai," his collaboration with Colombian singer Shakira, which is the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He will compete against other notable artists in these categories. This recognition highlights how his music is breaking into major genre categories through international collaborations.

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Raindance has enjoyed considerable success in the United Kingdom and internationally, strengthening Tems’ profile beyond the Afrobeats space and into mainstream R&B.

Tems earned a nomination in the Best R&B category for "Raindance," her collaboration with British rapper Dave. The song has achieved significant success internationally, solidifying Tems' presence in mainstream R&B and global pop markets beyond Afrobeats.

These nominations arrive after MTV removed the Best Afrobeats category from the VMAs. The category, introduced in 2023 to acknowledge the genre's growing influence, saw wins for Rema and Selena Gomez, and Tyla in subsequent years. The removal has sparked discussion regarding the categorization of African music and its representation at international awards.

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The nomination also marks another major international recognition for the Nigerian singer, who has continued to establish herself across R&B and global pop markets.