The Beatz Awards has announced its nominees for the 2026 edition, marking 11 years of recognising the creative, technical and business professionals who contribute to Nigeria’s music industry and the wider African music scene.
The 11th edition is being held under the theme “Behind the Beat, Beyond the Beat”, with nominations covering several areas of the music business, including music production, songwriting, sound engineering, music video direction, broadcasting, digital music platforms and artist management. The awards aim to recognise professionals whose work is essential to the creation, promotion and commercial success of music but often receives less public attention than the artists performing the songs.
This year’s production categories feature nominees across Afro Pop, Afro Beat, Afro R&B, Afro Hip-Hop, Afro Highlife, Afro Soul, Afro Dancehall and Afro Gospel. Among the established names on the list are Magicsticks, Sarz, Niphkeys, Ozedikus, Fresh VDM, Ragee and Saszy Afroshii. Tems, Dunnie and Bloody Civilian are also among those recognised, alongside emerging producers Hunkie Beats, Juixce, Decs, Lekaa Beats, JJAY, Jhay2unez and Shallythechampion.
Beyond music production, the 2026 nominations recognise work in mixing and mastering, music video direction and songwriting. The awards also extend to broadcasting and the wider music business, with categories covering radio and television stations, on-air personalities, DJs, artist managers, record labels, music blogs, online music platforms, A&Rs, live bands and entertainment lawyers.
According to Elijah John, founder and executive producer of The Beatz Awards, the nominees represent the professionals who contribute to the success of records away from the spotlight. “Behind every hit record is a team the audience never sees. Our nominees are the engine of African music,” he said.
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Public voting opened on 21 October and is scheduled to close on 16 November 2026. Fans can view the full list of nominees and cast their votes through the awards’ official website.
The 11th edition ceremony is scheduled for 21 November 2026 at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. The event will bring together nominees and other participants from different parts of the music industry to recognise contributions across the creative, technical and commercial sides of music.
Founded in 2015 by Elijah John, The Beatz Awards is a Nigerian awards platform established to recognise professionals working behind the scenes of the music industry. Its scope includes producers, songwriters, sound engineers, broadcasters, digital music platforms and other contributors involved in bringing music to audiences.
