The 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs) have announced their nominees, showcasing the accomplishments of African artists in several prestigious categories. This year’s event highlights the growing influence of Afrobeats on the global stage.
African Stars Shine at the AMAs
Leading the nominations is South Africa’s Tyla, who received three nods. She is nominated for:
- Best Music Video
- Best Female R&B Artist
- Best Afrobeats Artist
The Best Afrobeats Artist category is particularly competitive, with Tyla facing tough contenders including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and MOLIY.
Additional Nominations for Burna Boy
Burna Boy has expanded his presence at the 2026 AMAs by earning a nomination for Best Hip-Hop Song. This recognition comes from his collaboration with U.S. rapper Gunna on the track “wgft.”
To win this category, Burna Boy will need to overcome artists like:
- Cardi B (“ErrTime”)
- Drake (“NOKIA”)
- Playboi Carti
- The Weeknd (“Rather Lie”)
- YKNIECE
- Quavo
- Metro Boomin
- Breskii (“Take Me Thru Dere”)
American Music Awards Overview
The AMAs is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, celebrating today’s most influential artists and their dedicated fanbases. Winners are decided through fan voting alone, with a third-party company managing the voting and verification process.
Nominees are determined based on fan engagement metrics including streaming, sales, radio airplay, and tour revenue, tracked by Billboard and Luminate. The awards ceremony has a rich history, first established in 1974 by Dick Clark. Over the years, it has showcased iconic performances that have significantly shaped pop culture.
This year, the AMAs will be streamed on May 25, 2026, via CBS and Paramount+
