Nigerian rising artistes Fola, Shoday, Mavo, Fido and Llona have been shortlisted for the Next Rated category at the 18th Headies Awards.
The nominees for the 2026 Headies were announced on Tuesday, with the five artistes making the shortlist for the highly competitive category, which recognises emerging talents making significant contributions to Nigeria’s music scene. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Canada.
Fola
Fola has established himself as one of the promising new voices in contemporary Nigerian music. His Next Rated nomination follows the growing success of his songs, including You, which also earned nominations for Afrobeats Single of the Year and Best Recording of the Year.
He also received nominations for Best R&B Album for Catharsis and Digital Artiste of the Year, making him one of the most-nominated artistes at this year’s ceremony.
Shoday
Shoday has continued to attract attention with his unique sound and collaborations with established artistes. His Next Rated nomination comes after his performance on Hey Jago, alongside Poco Lee and Rahman Jago, which was nominated for Song of the Year.
The recognition further highlights his growing status among Nigeria’s emerging music talents.
Mavo
Afrobeat artiste Marvin Ukanigbe, popularly known as Mavo, also secured a Next Rated nomination following his growing presence in the Nigerian music industry.
He was additionally nominated for Digital Artiste of the Year, placing him among the country’s fastest-rising young music acts.
Fido
Afrobeats singer Awosika Josiah, popularly known as Fido, has continued to strengthen his position as one of Nigeria’s notable new-generation artistes.
He earned 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-artiste shortlist for the Next Rated award.
The artiste has steadily built a following through his music and earned recognition as one of the emerging talents expected to make a major impact on Nigeria’s music scene.
Other Major Nominations
Several of Nigeria’s biggest artistes also received nominations across other categories at the 18th Headies.
The 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; MMS by Asake and Wizkid; and With You by Davido and Omah Lay.
For Afrobeats Single of the Year, the nominees are 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 features 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.
Nominees for Digital Artiste of the Year include Asake, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Chella, Fola, Mavo, Seyi Vibez and Wizkid.
The 18th Headies Awards will be held in Canada and will honour outstanding achievements across Nigeria’s music industry.
