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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 &amp; Sarz — Back Outside Bien &amp; Alikiba — Finale Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy Moliy ft. Shenseea &amp; 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

African Music’s Biggest Names Earn AFRIMMA 2026 Nominations

<h2>CKay's Musical Journey: A Brief Overview</h2>Nigerian Afrobeats star CKay has confirmed that his third studio album, titled Banger Boy, will be released in August. The upcoming project will serve as a follow-up to his 2024 album Emotions, as the singer continues to explore new sounds and creative directions in his music.Speaking during a recent interview on Apple Music’s The Dotty Show, CKay revealed that the new album will come with several surprises for listeners. According to the hitmaker, fans should expect a project filled with unexpected elements as he presents another side of his artistry.Ahead of the album’s release, CKay has already given fans a taste of what to expect with Body, a single off the upcoming project that has quickly become a fan favourite. The song has received positive reactions from listeners and has added to the anticipation surrounding the full album.With Banger Boy, CKay is expected to build on the emotional depth of Emotions while introducing fresh ideas and sounds. The August release will mark another major chapter in the singer’s evolving musical journey as he continues to strengthen his presence on the global music scene. <figure id="figure-hbz6inhqvxmrf9e0e6"><img id="hbz6inhqvxmrf9e0e6" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/31F0A1AaTP9PiVjZHS4GnTWXhlmYgo7RaKGmCzbhjV6ZjktYE6sjN9zCAo2rkl6T.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 20%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="20%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

CKay announces third studio album ‘Banger Boy’ set for August release

<h2>Burna Boy Takes the Stage</h2>Burna Boy is set to take center stage as Africa's sole representative at the FIFA World Cup Final's first-ever halftime show, joining an all-star lineup that includes Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS. The Nigerian Grammy-winning superstar will perform during the 11-minute spectacle on July 19 in New York, marking a landmark moment for African music on one of the world's biggest sporting stages. <figure id="figure-6ppg5a81ucmrf9ady8"><img id="6ppg5a81ucmrf9ady8" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/2fx4uLws4jgsUdDDkPUXaPkHbhfbTnqJVt2AZOPRrSqynjtQIT285ZeUCBHS9ckx.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 5%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="5%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, the halftime show is designed in the style of the Super Bowl and will also feature Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay and the Sesame Street Muppets. The performance will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million to expand access to education for children around the world.Burna Boy returns to the World Cup stage after helping launch the expanded tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico alongside Shakira. Their collaboration "Dai Dai" has since become one of the competition's defining songs, dominating charts and emerging as a soundtrack for fans throughout the tournament.As one of Afrobeats' leading global ambassadors, Burna Boy's appearance at the World Cup Final represents another defining moment for African music.

Burna Boy Joins Madonna, Bieber, Shakira & BTS for FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show

<h2>Soul is Emotions… Body Is Logic’: Kekeli Verse Enlists Lyrical Joe, Ian Jazzi, Others on Debut Album</h2>Before its official release, cinematic drill artist Kekeli Verse offered a selective audience an early listen to his debut album ‘Soul is Emotions… Body Is Logic’, a 14-track project that moves through heartbreak, survival, betrayal, sacrifice, identity, ambition and personal growth. The project is shaped by personal experience, drawing from his reconnection with family after a period of distance.The album opens with a voice message from his mother, a moment that immediately sets the emotional tone and shows her offering words of encouragement. That intro sets the framework for a project that establishes a sense of family support and personal grounding, even as it expands into wider reflections on ambition and career progression. <figure id="figure-lbg0ye6hkmr3lxh4r"><img id="lbg0ye6hkmr3lxh4r" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/38pItGIzqpadP8e5GXVTOWrLguNZR2GRmQY9sOYMjenP0Rn6yeOMvt3mcigicOLH.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/38pItGIzqpadP8e5GXVTOWrLguNZR2GRmQY9sOYMjenP0Rn6yeOMvt3mcigicOLH.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Structured in three acts: Foundation, Conflict and Identity, the album shifts between emotion and logic, pain and purpose. Rather than focusing on romantic heartbreak, Kekeli Verse leans into financial pressure and the realities of building a career as the emotional core of the project. He confirms that 80 percent of the project was self-produced, with Lyrical Joe, Shaike Mumzoo, Ian Jazzi and Q among the featured artists.Kekeli Verse describes the album as “a journey between what we feel and what we know. The soul carries emotions, but the body survives through logic.” He adds that his intention is for listeners to leave the project feeling motivated, rather than just entertained, with track 10 “Verse” standing out for him personally as a reflection of his grind and persistence in the music industry.‘Soul is Emotions… Body Is Logic’ is now available across all major streaming platforms, via his personal record label APMG. Listen to song Below&nbsp; <a title="KeKeliVerse" href="https://tr.ee/pl3_Ns9SXs" data-mce-href="https://tr.ee/pl3_Ns9SXs">Soul is Emotion</a> <figure id="figure-jwrcs3swlomr3lxuup"><img id="jwrcs3swlomr3lxuup" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/352yhtA8hMSssreJo3BebAi5Ei3u4poAwgUAZ0iIpoTuX1onflOFDjIyg0IF0iTF.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/352yhtA8hMSssreJo3BebAi5Ei3u4poAwgUAZ0iIpoTuX1onflOFDjIyg0IF0iTF.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>

Kekeli Verse Delivers a Reflective Debut With ‘Soul is Emotions… Body Is Logic’

Tems brought Afrobeats to the global spotlight at the 2026 BET Awards, delivering a solo performance before returning to the stage for a tribute honouring Lauryn Hill’s legacy. The Nigerian singer performed her song “What You Need” during the ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, before joining Tierra Whack and other artists for a special celebration of Hill, who received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award.The tribute recognised Hill’s influence across hip-hop, R&amp;B and soul, with several artists coming together to celebrate her impact on music and culture. Tems’ appearance added another major Afrobeats moment to one of the biggest nights on the entertainment calendar.The ceremony, hosted by Druski, also saw major wins for some of the biggest names in music. Teyana Taylor was among the night’s biggest winners, taking home four awards including Icon of the Year, while Cardi B, Kehlani, Leon Thomas, SZA and Doechii were also recognised.Tems’ double appearance further highlighted the growing influence of Afrobeats on the international stage, as African artists continue to become central figures in global music celebrations.

Tems Joins Lauryn Hill Tribute After Solo Performance at 2026 BET Awards

Ghanaian Afropop artist Bill Gucci is gearing up for the release of his new single dubbed 'Bad Energy', as he continues to build momentum in what he describes as a year of “bigger moves.”The upcoming track is already generating anticipation among fans as he expands his presence within the music scene.According to the artist, the project forms part of a broader plan to stay consistent and push his sound further in 2026. Bill Gucci has hinted that the new release reflects his evolving style and ambition, as he seeks to connect with a wider audience through his music.Recently, Bill Gucci was spotted in Kumasi alongside Nigerian music star Mavo, who headlined the Tiki &amp; Afro Jam event. Their public meet-up has sparked conversation among fans and industry watchers, with many speculating about a possible collaboration between the two artists.While no official confirmation has been made, the meeting has fuelled growing excitement around a potential cross-border link-up. As anticipation builds for 'Bad Energy', attention is now focused on Bill Gucci’s next move and how he plans to position himself within Ghana’s competitive music industry. <figure id="figure-4pceyiy1e7mqzigduo"><img id="4pceyiy1e7mqzigduo" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3bBTrnIDRaSFZnAEl7SdGfMzJqgJEANC8JbdMinxhfJzaNrZJK3L6NJ5nAV130Hw.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

Bill Gucci and Mavo: A Potential Collaboration on the Horizon?

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Blog

African Music’s Biggest Names Earn AFRIMMA 2026 Nominations

CKay announces third studio album ‘Banger Boy’ set for Au...

Burna Boy Joins Madonna, Bieber, Shakira & BTS for FIFA W...

Kekeli Verse Delivers a Reflective Debut With ‘Soul is Em...

Tems Joins Lauryn Hill Tribute After Solo Performance at ...

Bill Gucci and Mavo: A Potential Collaboration on the Hor...