MTV VMAs Drop Best Afrobeats Category for 2026 Awards
The MTV Video Music Awards have discontinued the “Best Afrobeats” category from the 2026 edition of the ceremony.
The category was introduced in 2023, with Rema and Selena Gomez winning the inaugural award for “Calm Down.” South African singer Tyla subsequently won in 2024 and 2025 with “Water” and “Push 2 Start.”
Tyla’s back-to-back wins sparked criticism, particularly among Nigerian music fans, who accused the organisers of misrepresenting Afrobeats by awarding the category to a South African artist.
Although MTV has not stated why the category was dropped, the decision comes amid the controversy surrounding its previous winners.
Meanwhile, Burna Boy and Tems earned nominations at the 2026 VMAs. The ceremony is scheduled for September 27, 2026, in Los Angeles.
