Burna Boy and Tems Nominated at 2026 MTV VMAs

Nigerian music stars Burna Boy and Tems have secured three nominations at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), announced on Tuesday ahead of the ceremony scheduled for September 27 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, received two nominations for his collaboration with Colombian superstar Shakira on the song "Dai Dai," earning nods in the Best Collaboration and Best Latin categories.

Tems was nominated in the Best R&B category for her collaboration with British rapper Dave on "Raindance." This recognition underscores the growing international profile of both artists, who have expanded their reach beyond the Afrobeats genre. Notably, the 2026 VMAs will not feature the Best Afrobeats category, which was introduced in 2023, meaning Burna Boy and Tems will compete in broader categories.

The nominations come in a year where Madonna leads with 11 nominations, followed by Taylor Swift with nine.