2026 MTV VMAs drops Best Afrobeats category after just 3 years

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations list has arrived with a shocking omission that has left fans of African music reeling. The organizers have officially pulled the plug on the Best Afrobeats category, marking the end of a short-lived three-year run for the standalone genre award.

Introduced in 2023 to capitalize on the genre's massive international surge, the category was first claimed by Nigerian powerhouse Rema and Selena Gomez for their viral smash, 'Calm Down'. The move to cut the category now raises questions about how mainstream American platforms view the longevity of the sound.

End of Tyla’s Winning Streak

The removal of the category is particularly notable for South African sensation Tyla. The 'Water' hitmaker has been the undisputed queen of the category, securing back-to-back trophies in 2024 and 2025 following her historic Grammy win.

Despite her previous dominance and the critical success of her self-titled debut album, Tyla did not receive any nominations in the 2026 lineup. Her absence from the list has fueled online debates regarding the criteria used for this year's selection process.

African Stars Fight for General Honors

While the dedicated Afrobeats slot is gone, African talent still features in cross-genre categories. Burna Boy has secured a nod in the Best Collaboration field for 'Dai Dai', his FIFA World Cup anthem featuring Colombian icon Shakira.

Similarly, Tems continues her global ascent with a nomination in the Best R&B category. She is recognized for her work on 'Raindance', a collaborative effort with British lyricist Dave that has resonated with international audiences.

Major Overhaul at MTV

The Afrobeats award isn't the only casualty in what appears to be a massive production shake-up. MTV has also axed several other high-profile categories, including Best Pop Artist, Best Rock, and the prestigious Album of the Year title.

As it stands, the network has not offered an official explanation for these cuts or indicated if the Afrobeats category might return in the future. The 2026 VMAs are scheduled to broadcast live from Los Angeles on 27 September.