African Music’s Biggest Names Earn AFRIMMA 2026 Nominations

The nominees for the 2026 edition of the African Music Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) have been announced, with some of Africa’s biggest music stars, producers, DJs and entertainers set to compete for top honours.

The latest nominations celebrate another major year for African music, recognising artists who have shaped the continent’s sound and expanded its global influence. Categories include Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Male and Female Acts, Best Rap Act, Best Collaboration and Best African Group.

Leading the nominations are some of Afrobeats and African music’s biggest names, including Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Tems, Asake, Tyla, Fally Ipupa, Diamond Platnumz and Black Sherif. The Artist of the Year category features a star-studded lineup with Asake, Fally Ipupa, Diamond Platnumz, Burna Boy, Rema, Tyla, Tems, Davido and Bien competing for the continental honour.

The Song of the Year category also highlights some of the biggest releases of the year, with nominees including Davido and Omah Lay’s With You, BNXN and Sarz’s Back Outside, Diamond Platnumz and Juma Jux’s Joy, Moliy’s Shake It to the Max, and Black Sherif’s So It Goes.

AFRIMMA 2026 Nominees
Best Male West Africa
Davido (Nigeria)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
BNXN (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Asake (Nigeria)
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Djodje (Cape Verde)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Ruger (Nigeria)
Dino Santiago (Cape Verde)
Best Female West Africa
Hadzi Vodushi (Ghana)
Tems (Nigeria)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Moliy (Ghana)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Mariam Ba Lagare (Mali)
Teni (Nigeria)
Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Artist of the Year
Asake (Nigeria)
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Tems (Nigeria)
Davido (Nigeria)
Bien (Kenya)
Song of the Year
Davido ft. Omah Lay — With You
BNXN & Sarz — Back Outside
Bien & Alikiba — Finale
Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy
Moliy ft. Shenseea & Skillibeng — Shake It to the Max
Black Sherif — So It Goes
Ciza — Isaka (6AM)
Young Jonn — Elumelu
DopeNation — Kakalika
Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir — Pile
DJ Kedjevara — Ça Fait Mal
AFRIMMA Album of the Year
Black Sherif — Top of The Morning Era
Omah Lay — Clarity of Mind
Asake — M$NEY
Tyla — A-Pop
Burna Boy — No Sign of Weakness
Lloyiso — Never Thought I Could
Davido — 5ive
Leigh-Anne — My Ego Told Me To
Himra — SORRY I’M BAD
Best Male Rap Act
Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
Jeriq (Nigeria)
Ninho (DR Congo)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
A-Reece (South Africa)
6uff (Nigeria)
Blxckie (South Africa)
Yung Lunya (Tanzania)
Phyno (Nigeria)
Himra (Ivory Coast)
Best Female Rap Act
Rosa Ree (Tanzania)
Eno Barony (Ghana)
Bombshell Grenade (Zambia)
Freda Rhymz (Ghana)
Moozlie (South Africa)
Ssaru (Kenya)
Ami Yerewolo (Mali)
Candy Bleakz (Nigeria)
Best Male Reggae/Dancehall
Valiant (Jamaica)
Mr. Killa (Grenada)
Patoranking (Nigeria)
Shatta Wale (Ghana)
Skillibeng (Jamaica)
Vybz Kartel (Jamaica)
Popcaan (Jamaica)
Kranium (Jamaica)
Best Female Reggae/Dancehall
Shenseea (Jamaica)
Jada Kingdom (Jamaica)
Moliy (Ghana)
Spice (Jamaica)
Koffee (Jamaica)
Lila Iké (Jamaica)
Shaneil Muir (Jamaica)
Vanessa Bling (Jamaica)

The full list of nominees spans 35 categories, celebrating music, dance, comedy, film, digital creators and sports personalities from across Africa and the diaspora. The 2026 AFRIMMA Awards will bring together the continent’s leading talents as they compete for recognition on one of Africa’s biggest entertainment platforms