The music world celebrated a strong showing from African talent over March 26–27, 2026, as the iHeartRadio Music Awards (aired March 26 in Los Angeles) and the MOBO Awards (held March 26 at Co-op Live in Manchester) delivered major wins and high-profile moments for Nigerian artists, producers, and Ghanaian breakout stars. While global names like Taylor Swift dominated the iHeartRadio show, African acts made history in key categories across both ceremonies.
MOBO Awards 2026: Nigerian Dominance in Key Categories
The 2026 MOBO Awards, celebrating its 30th anniversary, saw Nigerian artists and producers take home awards in standout categories:
Wizkid won Best African Music Act, defeating a stacked field that included Ayra Starr, Davido, Rema, Shallipopi, Tiwa Savage, Adekunle Gold (all Nigerian), Moliy (Ghanaian), Joshua Baraka (Uganda), and Tyla (South Africa). This marks Wizkid’s seventh MOBO Award overall, solidifying his record as the most-awarded African artist in MOBO history.
P2J (the Nigerian-British producer known for his work with Burna Boy, Wizkid, and international stars) took home Best Producer. He beat out nominees including Inflo, Jae5, Miles Clinton James, Sammy Soso, and Zach Nahome.
Ayra Starr continued her global ascent by winning Best International Act for the second consecutive year, triumphing over heavyweights like Cardi B, Gunna, Kehlani, and Vybz Kartel. Though she yielded the Best African Music Act to Wizkid this year, her back-to-back international wins make her the most decorated Nigerian woman in MOBO history.
iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026: Ghanaian Breakthrough
At the iHeartRadio Music Awards, Ghanaian breakout star Moliy made history by winning World Artist of the Year. She was the most-nominated African artist of the night, also earning nods in Best New Artist (Hip-Hop) and Best Music Video (Socially Voted) for her remix of “Shake It To The Max (FLY)” with Silent Addy, Skillibeng, and Shenseea. This marks a major milestone for a Ghanaian artist at the iHeartRadio Awards and underscores the growing global reach of Afropop.
No Nigerian artists or producers secured wins in the reported iHeartRadio categories this year, which remained heavily U.S.- and pop-dominated.
Highlighted Appearances and Performances
Beyond the wins, several Nigerian stars made memorable appearances and delivered standout moments:
Tiwa Savage performed live at the MOBO Awards, delivering a high-energy set that included the live debut of an unreleased single. The performance was widely praised as a statement-making showcase of her Afrobeats prowess and stage presence.
Shallipopi attended the MOBO ceremony as a nominee for Best African Music Act. He turned heads on the red carpet with his stylish look and was featured prominently in official MOBO content, adding to the strong Nigerian representation on the night.
Other notable Nigerian nominees who were recognized included Davido, Rema, and Adekunle Gold in the Best African Music Act category, further highlighting Nigeria’s outsized influence at the MOBOs
Citations and Reference Links
Official Charts: MOBO Awards 2026: Full list of winners
iHeartRadio:2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards: Complete List Of Winners
Discover more from Nigerian Sounds
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.