Nigerian musical talents have once again showcased their prominence on the global stage as Davido, Burna Boy, and others secure nominations for this year’s MTV Music Video Awards.
Scheduled for September 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the 2023 awards ceremony will unfold live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center. Among the roster of nominees is Davido, who is earning his first nod at these prestigious awards.
Nigeria’s music scene is well represented in two noteworthy categories, as follows:
- Celebrating Afrobeat Excellence
The list of nominees for the “Best Afrobeats” category includes:
- Ayra Starr with “Rush” under Mavin Global Holdings
- Burna Boy with “It’s Plenty” released by Atlantic Records / Spaceship Entertainment Ltd
- Davido featuring Musa Keys with “UNAVAILABLE” distributed by Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records
- Fireboy DML & Asake with “Bandana” available via Empire Distribution
- Libianca with “People” produced by Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records
- Rema & Selena Gomez with “Calm Down” jointly presented by Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records
- Wizkid in collaboration with Ayra Starr for “2 Sugar” published under Starboy / RCA Records
- Music Videos That Make a Difference
The “Video for Good” category acknowledges artists who contribute positively through their visuals. The nominees include:
- Ayra Starr’s “Rush” from Mavin Global Holdings
- Burna Boy’s “It’s Plenty” from Atlantic Records / Spaceship Entertainment Ltd
- Davido featuring Musa Keys with “UNAVAILABLE” under Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records
- Fireboy DML & Asake’s “Bandana” distributed by Empire Distribution
- Libianca’s “People” produced by Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records
- Rema & Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” jointly presented by Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records
- Wizkid’s collaboration with Ayra Starr on “2 Sugar” available via Starboy / RCA Records
As Nigerian music continues to captivate audiences worldwide, the nominations reflect the exceptional talent and creativity driving the nation’s music industry forward.