Fola, Shoday, Ayra Starr Lead 2026 Headies Nominations

Singers Fola, Shoday, Ayra Starr have emerged among the leading nominees at the 18th Headies Awards, with both artistes shortlisted for the Next Rated category.

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The nominees for the 2026 edition were announced on Tuesday.

Fola has 10 nominations at this year’s ceremony, including Next Rated, Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best R&B Album and Digital Artiste of the Year.

His song ‘You’ earned nominations in the Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year and Best Recording of the Year categories, while his album Catharsis is nominated for Best R&B Album.

Shoday also received a Next Rated nomination following his growing profile in the Nigerian music scene.

He was recognised for ‘Hey Jago’, his collaboration with Poco Lee and Rahman Jago, which is nominated for Song of the Year.

Mavo, Fido and Llona complete the five man shortlist for the Next Rated category.

Mavo also received a nomination for Digital Artiste of the Year, while Fido was nominated for Song of the Year and Afrobeats Single of the Year.

His song ‘Joy Is Coming’ is nominated for Song of the Year, while ‘Fun’ earned him the Afrobeats Single of the Year nomination.

For Song of the Year, the nominees include Kunmie’s ‘Arike’, ‘Hey Jago’ by Poco Lee, Shoday and Rahman ‘Jago’, Ayra Starr’s ‘Hot Body’, Fido’s ‘Joy Is Coming’, ‘MMS’ by Asake and Wizkid, and ‘With You’ by Davido and Omah Lay.

The Afrobeats Single of the Year nominees are Rema’s ‘Fun’, Asake and Wizkid’s ‘Jogodo’, Shallipopi’s ‘Laho’, Davido and Omah Lay’s ‘With You’, Fola’s ‘You’ and Burna Boy’s ‘Bundle by Bundle’.

The Best R&B Album category features Kunmie’s Before We Became Strangers, Fola’s Catharsis, Qing Madi’s I Am the Blueprint, Tems’ Love Is a Kingdom, Tay Iwar’s Reflection Station and Tiwa Savage’s This One Is Personal.

The Digital Artiste of the Year nominees are Asake, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Chella, Fola, Mavo, Seyi Vibez and Wizkid.

The 18th Headies Awards will hold in Toronto, Canada, on October 25.

The ceremony will recognise achievements across Nigeria’s music industry and include awards for artistes, producers, songwriters and other industry professionals.