The race for one of the most closely watched prizes at the Headies Awards has officially begun, with rising Nigerian music stars Fola, Shoday, Mavo, Fido and Llona shortlisted for the 2026 Headies Next Rated award.
The five artistes were announced as nominees on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, as organisers unveiled the nominations for the 18th edition of the prestigious Nigerian music awards. The Next Rated category is widely regarded as one of the most important awards for emerging artistes because of its history of recognising young acts who go on to become major forces in the Nigerian music industry.
Fola enters the contest after a strong period of growth that has seen his music gain increasing attention among Afrobeats and R&B listeners. His nomination is supported by a broader recognition at this year's Headies, with the singer also receiving nominations in categories including Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best R&B Album and Digital Artiste of the Year.
His song “You” earned nominations for both Afrobeats Single of the Year and Best Recording of the Year, while his album “Catharsis” was recognised in the Best R&B Album category. The multiple nominations underline the impact Fola has made during the eligibility period and place him among the artistes attracting significant attention ahead of the awards ceremony.
Shoday is another strong contender for the Next Rated prize. The emerging artiste has continued to build his profile through his distinctive sound and collaborations, including “Hey Jago,” a song with Poco Lee and Rahman Jago that was nominated for Song of the Year.
His inclusion in the Next Rated category reflects his growing visibility within Nigeria's competitive music scene, particularly among a new generation of artistes finding their audience through collaborations, streaming platforms and social media.
Mavo has also secured a place on the five-man shortlist following his growing influence in the Nigerian music industry. The artiste, whose real name is Marvin Ukanigbe, has been gaining attention as one of the emerging names expected to make a bigger impact on the Afrobeats scene.
Mavo's Headies recognition extends beyond the Next Rated category, as he was also nominated for Digital Artiste of the Year alongside some of Nigeria's biggest music stars, including Asake, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Chella, Fola, Seyi Vibez and Wizkid.
Fido completes the group of contenders with a nomination that further reflects his rapid rise in the Nigerian music industry. The singer has attracted attention with songs that have connected with a growing audience and has also received recognition in other major categories at this year's awards.
Fido's “Joy Is Coming” is nominated for Song of the Year, while “Fun” earned a nomination in the Afrobeats Single of the Year category. His appearance in multiple categories makes him another artiste to watch closely as the competition for the Next Rated award intensifies.
The fifth nominee, Llona, has also established a growing following with his music and completes a shortlist made up entirely of artistes who have emerged strongly within Nigeria's contemporary music scene.
Unlike categories that recognise established stars with long careers, the Next Rated award focuses attention on artistes considered to be among the most promising emerging acts of the period under review. Previous winners and nominees have included some of the biggest names in Nigerian music, making the category an important stepping stone for young artistes.
The significance of the award can be seen in the careers of past winners. The Next Rated honour has previously gone to artistes such as Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Rema, Mr Eazi, Mayorkun, Omah Lay and BNXN, many of whom went on to become major figures in the African music industry.
The 2026 nominees will therefore be competing not only for a prestigious Headies trophy but also for the recognition and momentum that can come with being named the year's Next Rated artiste.
The 18th Headies Awards is scheduled to take place in Canada, with the ceremony expected to bring together leading Nigerian and African music stars, industry executives and international audiences. The official Headies website lists Toronto, Canada, as the location for the 2026 event.
The wider nominations also show the strength of Nigeria's current music scene, with established stars and emerging artistes appearing across several categories. For Song of the Year, nominees include Kunmie's “Arike,” “Hey Jago” by Poco Lee, Shoday and Rahman Jago, Ayra Starr's “Hot Body,” Fido's “Joy Is Coming,” Asake and Wizkid's “MMS,” and Davido and Omah Lay's “With You.”
The Afrobeats Single of the Year category also features some of the biggest records of the period, including 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.”
With Fola, Shoday, Mavo, Fido and Llona now officially in contention, attention will turn to the artiste who can ultimately convince voters and claim one of the most coveted honours available to Nigeria's emerging music stars.
For the nominees, the award could represent a defining moment in their careers. For music fans, it sets up an interesting contest between five young artistes who have each built momentum in different ways and are now competing for recognition on one of Africa's biggest music award platforms.
The 2026 Headies Next Rated winner will ultimately inherit a category with a long history of identifying artistes who later become major stars, making the outcome one of the most anticipated moments of the upcoming awards ceremony.
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