MTV VMAs scraps Afrobeats category

MTV Video Music Awards Eliminate “Best Afrobeats” Category for 2026 Ceremony

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) will not feature the “Best Afrobeats” category in the upcoming 2026 ceremony, the organizers confirmed this week.

On Tuesday, the nominees for the 2027 VMAs were announced, but the Afrobeats category was notably absent. Introduced in 2023, the category recognized the growing influence of Afrobeats music, with Rema and Selena Gomez’s hit “Calm Down” taking home the first award. South African artist Tyla won the category in 2024 and 2025 with her songs “Water” and “Push 2 Start,” respectively.

Tyla’s consecutive victories prompted criticism among music fans and critics, particularly from Nigeria, who accused the VMAs of misrepresentation for awarding an Afrobeats accolade to a non-Afrobeats artist.

While the organizers have not disclosed the reasons behind the decision to discontinue the category, analysts suggest that the backlash over misrepresentation could be a factor.

Despite the absence of the Afrobeats category, Nigerian artists Burna Boy and Tems have received nominations for the 2026 VMAs. Tems is nominated for Best R&B for his collaboration with Dave on “Raindance,” while Burna Boy earned nominations in the Best Collaboration and Best Latin categories for his World Cup song “Dai Dai” featuring Shakira.

Tyla, however, did not receive a nomination this year, as the Best Afrobeats category, in which her viral song “Chanel” was expected to compete, has been eliminated.

The 2026 MTV VMAs are scheduled to take place on September 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.

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