Urban Music Awards
The World's
No.1 Urban
Music Awards
Celebrating Hip Hop, R&B, Gospel, Dance, Amapiano, Afrobeats, Soul, Reggae, Dancehall, Grime, Drill, Garage, House, and the global sounds shaping culture.
1999
Founded
7
Editions
50+
Countries
The Countdown Begins
Two historic ceremonies. Be there as the next chapter of urban music history is written.
London Ceremony
15 DEC 2026
South Africa
9 DEC 2026
24
Annual Edition
2026
Year
7
Global Editions
50+
Countries
South Africa
UMA South Africa
United Kingdom
24th Annual UMA
Founded in 1999.
Global since 2003.
Jordan Kensington founded the UMA Academy in 1999 with a singular vision — to empower musicians with the knowledge and tools to build sustainable, independent careers.
The Academy taught artists about entrepreneurship, ownership, branding, business, and career sustainability — the foundations so many artists lack when they enter the industry.
In 2003, the first Urban Music Awards ceremony launched at the legendary Hammersmith Palais in London. What began as a celebration of British urban music rapidly became a global movement.
Today, the Urban Music Awards spans 7 global editions across the UK, USA, Caribbean, Asia, Mauritius, South America, and Africa — uniting cultures through music.
UMA Ceremony (UMA 2003)
Mariah Carey (UMA 2003)
Foxy Brown & Spragga Benz (UMA 2007)
Jazzie B (UMA 2003)
Global Timeline
From a London academy to a worldwide movement in music, culture and opportunity.
UMA Academy Founded
London, UK
Jordan Kensington founds the Urban Music Awards Academy in London, empowering musicians with knowledge of entrepreneurship, ownership, branding, business, and career sustainability.
First Urban Music Awards
Hammersmith Palais, London
The inaugural Urban Music Awards ceremony launches at the iconic Hammersmith Palais. A movement is born.
UMA USA Launches
United States
Urban Music Awards USA launches on 7 July 2007, hosted by Foxy Brown and Spragga Benz. Boyz II Men receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
Caribbean Edition
The Caribbean
The Caribbean Urban Music Awards launches, expanding UMA's reach across the islands and celebrating the sounds of the Caribbean.
Asia Edition
Asia
The Asia Urban Music Awards launches, bringing UMA's global platform to Asian artists and music communities.
South America Edition
South America
Urban Music Awards South America launches, celebrating the vibrant urban sounds of Latin America.
Mauritius Edition
Mauritius
The Mauritius Urban Music Awards launches, celebrating the rich and diverse music culture of the Indian Ocean region.
UMA South Africa
Heartfelt Arena, Pretoria
Urban Music Awards South Africa launches at Heartfelt Arena, Pretoria, a landmark moment for African urban music on the world stage.
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
Urban Music Awards continues to expand across territories, cultures and generations.
Past Winners
Two decades of the world's biggest names in urban music have taken home a UMA.
Global Editions
Seven ceremonies across six continents. One movement uniting urban music culture worldwide — from London to Lagos, New York to Kingston.
7
Editions
50+
Countries
1999
Founded
Every Sound.
Every Culture.
From the streets of London to Lagos, New York to Kingston — the Urban Music Awards honours every genre that has shaped global culture.
Vote For Your FavouritesIcons on the
UMA Red Carpet
Two and a half decades of unforgettable nights — the artists, the winners and the moments that define the world's No.1 urban music awards.
Beyoncé
Global Icon
AJ Tracey
Artist of the Year · 2020
Tyla
UMA Red Carpet
Wiley
UMA Winner
On Stage
UMA Icon · 2023
Bugsy Malone
UMA Red Carpet
Aisleyne
UMA Red Carpet
Kano
UMA Red Carpet
Lemar
UMA Red Carpet
UMA Red Carpet
The Ceremony
Ali Campbell
UB40 · UMA Red Carpet
Red Carpet Moments
The UMA Media Wall
Lady Leshurr
UMA Winner
Red Carpet Crew
UMA Red Carpet
Where Legends
Are Crowned
Select a winner to relive the moment. Every trophy tells a story of talent, culture and triumph.
AJ Tracey
Holding two UMA trophies on the red carpet — Artist of the Year, sponsored by Deezer.
Watch UMA Moments
Relive the red carpet, the performances and the ceremonies that shaped urban music history.
Now Playing
UMA in the UK
UK Edition · Red Carpet & Ceremony
More Than an Awards Show.
A Cultural Movement.
UMA exists to celebrate, empower, and connect every corner of the global urban music community — artists, fans, creators, and industry leaders alike.
Join Us
Be Part of the Movement
Partner with
the World's No.1
Urban Music Brand
The Urban Music Awards is a respected global platform for brands who want to connect authentically with urban music culture. Reach millions of passionate fans across 50+ countries.
We partner with brands, sponsors, labels, broadcasters, streaming platforms, fashion houses, drinks brands, technology companies, and cultural institutions who share our values and vision.
Live from the UMA red carpet — partner brands featured across our media wall, broadcast and digital coverage.
Broadcasters
Streaming Platforms
Record Labels
Technology Companies
Cultural Institutions
Fashion Brands
Drinks Brands
Sponsors
50+
Countries
7
Editions
25+
Years
