Jordan
Kensington
Founder of the Urban Music Awards and UMA Academy
Jordan Kensington founded the UMA Academy in 1999 with a clear mission: to help artists, musicians, and creative talent understand business, ownership, entrepreneurship, branding, and long-term career building.
The Vision
The Academy Came
Before the Awards.
Jordan Kensington built the UMA Academy first — and that was no accident. The vision was always bigger than trophies. Before there was a red carpet, there was a classroom.
The Academy was founded on the belief that artists needed more than talent to succeed. They needed to understand contracts, publishing, royalties, branding, digital presence, and entrepreneurship — the business side of the music industry that so many artists enter without preparation.
Jordan's goal was simple and radical: to educate, empower, and elevate artists across music and entertainment. To give them the tools to own their future.
It wasn't until the Academy had established its foundation that the awards ceremony was created — not as an end in itself, but as a celebration of the culture and a spotlight for those who deserved recognition.
Buckingham Palace
Jordan Kensington meets Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
2003 · London
The First Urban
Music Awards.
In 2003, Jordan Kensington launched the first Urban Music Awards ceremony at the legendary Hammersmith Palais in London.
The ceremony was a statement — a declaration that urban music, its artists, and its culture deserved to be celebrated on a world stage, with the same prestige and recognition afforded to any major cultural institution.
From that first night in London, the UMA grew into a global platform celebrating Hip Hop, R&B, Gospel, Dance, Amapiano, Afrobeats, Soul, Reggae, Dancehall, Grime, Drill, Garage, House, and every sound shaping culture worldwide.
The Global Movement
Taking UMA to
Every Continent
London, UK
Inaugural ceremony at Hammersmith Palais
USA
Launched 7 July 2007. Hosted by Foxy Brown & Spragga Benz. Boyz II Men Lifetime Achievement.
Caribbean
Caribbean Urban Music Awards launches
Asia
Asia Urban Music Awards launches
South America
Urban Music Awards South America launches
Africa
Heartfelt Arena, Pretoria — a landmark for African urban music
7 Editions · 50+ Countries
A truly global institution,
built from London.
Principles & Purpose
Founder Values
Artist Ownership
Championing artists' rights to own their music, their brand, and their business — from day one.
Entrepreneurship
Equipping musicians with the mindset and tools to build sustainable, independent careers.
Global Culture
Uniting the world through urban music — from London to Lagos, New York to Nairobi.
Independent Voices
Amplifying artists who move culture without corporate compromise.
Music Education
The UMA Academy was built on the belief that knowledge is the most powerful instrument an artist can possess.
Creative Legacy
Building institutions that will outlast trends and empower generations of artists to come.
A Legacy Built on
Music, Mission & Movement.
Jordan Kensington's vision continues to grow — across 7 global editions, and counting.