American vocalists Taylor Swift and SZA are in the lead with eight and six nominations, respectively.
This year, 35 artists, including GloRilla, Ice Spice, and Flo Milli, are nominated for the first time.
For the first time in the award’s history, an Afrobeats category had been introduced to the nominations, it was noted. Nigerian artists dominated the newly created afro-centric category. The only nominee who wasn’t from Nigeria was the Cameroonian-American singer Libianca.
See the nominees for the Afrobeats Category:
Ayra Starr – “Rush” – Mavin Global Holdings
Burna Boy – “It’s Plenty” – Atlantic Records / Spaceship Entertainment Ltd.
Davido feat. Musa Keys – “UNAVAILABLE” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records
Fireboy DML & Asake – ”Bandana” – Empire Distribution
Libianca – “People” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records
Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records
Wizkid ft Ayra Starr– “2 Sugar” – Starboy / RCA Records