Fola, Shoday, Mavo, and Others Up for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Nigerian music 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 revealed on Tuesday. These five artists are competing for the Next Rated category, which highlights new talents making waves in Nigeria's music scene.

The award ceremony will take place in Canada.

Fola
Fola is becoming one of the exciting new voices in Nigeria’s music scene. He got a Next Rated nomination because of the growing popularity of his songs, especially "You." This song also earned him nominations for Afrobeats Single of the Year and Best Recording of the Year.

Fola was also nominated for Best R&B Album for "Catharsis" and Digital Artiste of the Year. This makes him one of the artists with the most nominations this year.

Shoday
Shoday is attracting attention with his unique sound and partnerships with well-known artists. He received a Next Rated nomination after his hit "Hey Jago," featuring Poco Lee and Rahman Jago, was nominated for Song of the Year.

His nomination shows his growing presence among Nigeria's upcoming music talents.

Mavo
Mavo is another new artist recognized in this year's nominations. His rising profile in the Nigerian music scene earned him a slot in the Next Rated category and a nomination for Digital Artiste of the Year.

His nomination puts him in the same group as some of the fastest-rising artists in the country.

Fido
Fido is making a name for himself as a standout new-generation Nigerian artist, with his music catching on among Afrobeats fans.

He got a Next Rated nomination and was also nominated for Song of the Year and Afrobeats Single of the Year for his tracks "Joy Is Coming" and "Fun."

Llona
Llona wraps up the five-person shortlist for the Next Rated award.

He has built a growing fan base with his music and has been acknowledged among the newcomers expected to influence the Nigerian music scene.

Other Major Nominations
Aside from the Next Rated category, many of Nigeria’s top artists also received 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.

In the Afrobeats Single of the Year category, nominees include 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."

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 happen in Canada, celebrating the achievements in Nigeria’s music industry.