LNigerian music stars, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy and Temilade Openiyi, also known as Tems, have earned nominations at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).
The nominations were announced on Tuesday ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27.
Burna Boy received both nominations for his collaboration with Colombian singer Shakira on the 2026 FIFA World Cup official song, “Dai Dai.”
The Grammy-winning artist is nominated for Best Collaboration, competing against Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice for “Chains & Whips”; French Montana and Max B for “Ever Since U Left Me”; Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter for “Bring Your Love”; PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson for “Stateside”; and Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye for “Hard Part.”
“Dai Dai” also earned Burna Boy a nomination in the Best Latin category, where it competes against tracks by Anitta with Shakira, Bad Bunny, Fuerza Regida, Karol G, Rosalía featuring Yahritza y Su Esencia, and Ryan Castro, Kapo and Gangsta.
Tems received a nomination for Best R&B for her collaboration with British rapper Dave on “Raindance.”
The pair are up against Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might,” Chris Brown’s “It Depends/Obvious,” Justin Bieber’s “Yukon,” Kehlani’s “Folded,” and Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis’ “Is It a Crime.”
Madonna leads this year’s nominations with 11, while Taylor Swift follows with nine.
The 2026 VMAs will air live on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+.
Fans can vote in most categories daily until September 25 at 6 p.m. ET.
Notably, the Best Afrobeats category, which featured in previous VMAs, is absent this year.
In 2025, South African singer Tyla won the award for “Push 2 Start,” beating Nigerian nominees including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Tems and Asake.
Tyla had also won the category in 2024 for “Water,” while Rema and Selena Gomez took the inaugural award in 2023 for “Calm Down.”
The MTV VMAs, created in 1984, celebrate the best music videos, songs and artists and are known for their iconic Moonperson trophy.
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 – Stateside + Zara Larsson
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 x Max B – Ever Since U Left Me
Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
PinkPantheress – Stateside + Zara Larsson
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 ft. 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 – Stateside + Zara Larsson
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 ft. 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 – Stateside + Zara Larsson
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
Best Visual Effects
Ariana Grande – hate that i made you love me
JISOO X ZAYN – Eyes Closed
Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
PinkPantheress – Stateside + Zara Larsson
RAYE ft. Hans Zimmer – Click Clack Symphony.
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Congratulations to all the nominees.
Live with Purpose, Love with Passion. Remember to be happy
One ❤️❤️❤️
Rose Ajieh
