Nigerian global stars Burna Boy and Tems have earned nominations at the 2026 Music Week Awards, in a time where Afrobeats’ growing influence not just on the charts, but within the global business of music is ever increasing.
Both artists were recognized in the Music & Brand Partnerships category, a segment that celebrates standout collaborations between musicians and major brands.
Burna Boy received a nomination for his partnership with Virgin Media O2, tied to a Priority gig at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town. The collaboration blended live music experiences with brand-driven audience engagement, positioning the Grammy-winning artist at the center of a campaign designed to reward and connect with loyal customers.
Tems, on the other hand, was nominated for her work with Hennessy on the “Made For More” campaign, a creative partnership that spotlighted ambition, cultural identity, and artistic excellence. The campaign aligned with Tems’ global image as one of Africa’s most influential contemporary voices, reinforcing her brand power beyond streaming numbers and touring milestones.
The nominations were announced as part of the 2026 edition of the Music Week Awards, an annual event organized by Music Week to recognize excellence across the UK and international music business. Unlike fan-voted award shows, the Music Week Awards focus on industry achievements, from marketing and live events to label strategy and brand innovation.
For Burna Boy, this marks another milestone in a career that has consistently expanded Afrobeats’ global footprint, particularly in the UK market. For Tems, the nomination underscores her continued crossover appeal and growing influence in the luxury and lifestyle branding space.
The winners of the 2026 Music Week Awards are expected to be announced at the official ceremony scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 7, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. The event will be held at JW Marriott Grosvenor House and will bring together key figures from the global music business to celebrate excellence in industry achievement