Fola, Shoday, Mavo, others nominated for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Nigerian rising stars Fola, Shoday, Mavo, Fido and Llona have been nominated for the Next Rated category at the 18th Headies Awards.

The nominees for the 2026 Headies were announced on Tuesday, with the five artistes shortlisted for the highly competitive Next Rated category, which recognises emerging artistes making significant impact in the Nigerian music scene.

The award ceremony is scheduled to hold in Canada.

Fola

Fola has emerged as one of the promising new voices in Nigeria’s contemporary music scene. He earned a Next Rated nomination following the growing popularity of his songs, including You, which also earned him nominations in the Afrobeats Single of the Year and Best Recording of the Year categories.

He was also nominated for Best R&B Album for Catharsis and Digital Artiste of the Year, making him one of the artistes with multiple nominations at this year’s ceremony.

Shoday

Shoday has continued to gain attention with his distinctive sound and collaborations with established artistes. He earned a Next Rated nomination after making a mark with Hey Jago, a collaboration with Poco Lee and Rahman Jago, which was nominated for Song of the Year.

His nomination reflects his growing profile among Nigeria’s emerging music acts.

Mavo

Mavo is another emerging artiste recognised in this year’s nominations. His growing presence in the Nigerian music industry earned him a place in the Next Rated category, while he was also nominated for Digital Artiste of the Year.

His inclusion among the nominees places him alongside some of the country’s fastest-rising young artistes.

Fido

Fido has continued to establish himself as one of the notable new-generation Nigerian artistes, with his music gaining attention among Afrobeats listeners.

He received a Next Rated nomination and was also recognised in the Song of the Year and Afrobeats Single of the Year categories for Joy Is Coming and Fun, respectively.

Llona

Llona completes the five-man shortlist for the Next Rated award.

The artiste has built a growing following with his music and has been recognised among the emerging acts expected to make a significant impact on the Nigerian music scene.

Other major nominations

Beyond the Next Rated category, several of Nigeria’s biggest artistes also secured nominations across the 18th Headies categories.

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

The 18th Headies Awards will take place in Canada, with the ceremony expected to celebrate achievements across Nigeria’s music industry.