Burna Boy, Tems Earn 2026 MTV VMAs Nominations – Full List
Nigerian music stars Burna Boy and Tems have earned nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).
The nominations were announced ahead of the ceremony, which is scheduled to hold at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 27, 2026.
Burna Boy received two nominations for his collaboration with Colombian superstar Shakira on the 2026 FIFA World Cup song, Dai Dai.
Tems, meanwhile, earned a nomination for her collaboration with British rapper Dave on Raindance.
Burna Boy earns two MTV VMA nominations
Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, is nominated in the Best Collaboration category for Dai Dai with Shakira.
The Nigerian singer will compete against several high-profile collaborations, including Clipse featuring Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice; French Montana and Max B; Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter; PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson; and Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye.
Burna Boy also received a nomination in the Best Latin category for Dai Dai.
The song puts him in contention alongside artists including Anitta and Shakira, Bad Bunny, Fuerza Regida, Karol G, Rosalía featuring Yahritza y Su Esencia, and Ryan Castro, Kapo and GANGSTA.
The nominations add to Burna Boy’s growing international recognition and place him among the African artists competing for honours at this year’s ceremony.
Tems nominated for Best R&B
Tems, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi, earned a nomination in the Best R&B category.
Her nomination comes from Raindance, her collaboration with British rapper Dave.
The pair will compete against major artists including Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Kehlani, Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis.
The nomination further strengthens Tems’ position as one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognised contemporary music artists.
No Best Afrobeats category in 2026
One notable change in this year’s nominations is the absence of the Best Afrobeats category.
The category featured in previous editions of the MTV VMAs.
South African singer Tyla won the award in 2025 with Push 2 Start, beating Nigerian nominees Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Tems and Asake.
Tyla also won the category in 2024 with Water.
The inaugural Best Afrobeats award went to Rema and Selena Gomez in 2023 for their global hit Calm Down.
Madonna leads 2026 MTV VMA nominations
Madonna leads this year’s nominations with 11 nods.
Taylor Swift follows with nine nominations, while several other major international artists also secured multiple nominations.
The awards will recognise achievements across music video production, music performances and several major music genres.
When are the 2026 MTV VMAs?
The 2026 MTV VMAs are scheduled for September 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming available on Paramount+.
Fans can vote in most categories daily until September 25 at 6 p.m. ET, according to the nomination announcement.
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 & Zara Larsson – Stateside
- 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 & Max B – Ever Since U Left Me
- Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
- PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
- 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 feat. 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 & Zara Larsson – Stateside
- 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 feat. Yahritza Y Su Esencia – La Perla
- Ryan Castro, Kapo & GANGSTA – LA VILLA
- Shakira & Burna Boy – Dai Dai
Best K-Pop
- BLACKPINK – JUMP
- BTS – SWIM
- CORTIS – REDRED
- KATSEYE – PINKY UP
- LE SSERAFIM feat. j-hope of BTS – SPAGHETTI
- LISA – Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
Best Country
- Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas
- Kacey Musgraves – Dry Spell
- Lainey Wilson – Somewhere Over Laredo
- Luke Combs – Back in the Saddle
- Shaboozey – Cowgirl
- Stella Lefty – Boston
- Tucker Wetmore – Brunette
Best Direction
- 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 – House Tour
- Taylor Swift – Opalite
Best Art Direction
- Charli XCX – SS26
- Lady Gaga & Doechii – RUNWAY
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
- SOMBR – My Body Isn’t Ready
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Best Cinematography
- A$AP Rocky – PUNK ROCKY
- Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
- LISA – Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- Shaboozey – Cowgirl
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Best Editing
- Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
- Bruno Mars – I Just Might
- LISA – Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Best Choreography
- GENER8ION – STORM starring Yung Lean
- Harry Styles – Dance No More
- KATSEYE – PINKY UP
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Also Read: Ogogo Gets Over 500 Offers of Medical and Spiritual Help
Best Visual Effects
- Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
- JISOO X ZAYN – Eyes Closed
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
- RAYE feat. Hans Zimmer – Click Clack Symphony
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Burna Boy and Tems fly Nigerian flag at VMAs
Burna Boy and Tems’ nominations give Nigerian music another strong presence at one of the world’s biggest music awards.
Burna Boy enters the ceremony with two nominations for Dai Dai, while Tems is in contention for Best R&B alongside Dave.
Their nominations also highlight the continued international reach of Nigerian Afrobeats and the growing influence of Nigerian artists in global music.
