Headies 2026 Nominees Full List, Date, Voting & Next Rated: Everything You Need to Know
The official nominees for the 18th Headies Awards (Headies 2026) dropped on 25 August 2026 and immediately sent searches for “Headies nominees 2026,” “when is the Headies,” “Headies Next Rated” and “how to vote for Headies” soaring.
This is the complete, updated guide so Naijahousegist.com becomes the first result whenever anyone searches anything about this year’s awards.
When Is the Headies 2026 Award Ceremony?
Date: 25 October 2026
Venue: Toronto, Canada
Theme: Africa to the World
The 18th edition of Africa’s biggest music awards will be held outside Nigeria for a landmark international showcase.
Headies 2026 Nominations – Who Leads?
Fola (Afolarin Odunlami) tops the list with 10 nominations.
Omah Lay follows with 8.
Wizkid and Mavo have 7 each.
Davido and Asake have 6 each.
Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage lead the female artistes with 5 nominations each.
Eligibility covered singles, videos, EPs and albums released between 1 August 2024 and 30 April 2026. There are 213 nominations across 35 categories.
Headies Next Rated 2026 Nominees
This is one of the most searched categories. The artistes competing for Next Rated are:
- Fido
- Fola
- Llona
- Mavo
- Shoday
The award recognises an emerging artiste judged to have the potential for mainstream superstardom.
Headies 2026 Major Category Nominees
Song of the Year
Arike — Kunmie
Hey Jago — Poco Lee, Shoday & Rahman Jago
Hot Body — Ayra Starr
Joy Is Coming — Fido
MMS — Asake & Wizkid
With You — Davido & Omah Lay
Afrobeats Single of the Year
You — Fola
Jogodo — Asake & Wizkid
With You — Davido & Omah Lay
Bundle by Bundle — Burna Boy
Fun — Rema
Laho — Shallipopi
Album of the Year
Catharsis — Fola
Clarity of Mind — Omah Lay
G.O.A.T — Erigga
Morayo — Wizkid
No Sign of Weakness — Burna Boy
This One Is Personal — Tiwa Savage
The Machine Is Coming — Odumodublvck
Afrobeats Album of the Year
5ive — Davido
Captain — BNXN
Clarity of Mind — Omah Lay
Fuji — Adekunle Gold
Morayo — Wizkid
No Sign of Weakness — Burna Boy
Best Male Artiste
Adekunle Gold, Asake, Burna Boy, Fola, Mavo, Rema, Wizkid
Best Female Artiste
Ayra Starr, Qing Madi, Sewa, Tems, Teni, Tiwa Savage
Digital Artiste of the Year
Asake, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Chella, Fola, Mavo, Seyi Vibez, Wizkid
Rookie of the Year
Amma, Danpapa GTA, FirstKlaz, Kidd Carder, NO11, Priesst, OG Abbah
How to Vote for Headies 2026
Some categories are decided by public vote and others by judges.
Official voting and the complete nominee list are published on theheadies.com and the official @the_headies Instagram and social channels. Check those platforms for the exact voting window and method once voting opens.
Special Honours
- Hall of Fame: Awilo Longomba
- Special Recognition Award: Cecil Hammond