Press Release
October 2026Urban Music Awards 2026
Full Nominations Announced
24th Annual Ceremony · 15 December 2026 · Central London
For Immediate Release — October 2026
Central London · 15 December 2026
Live: channelonetv.co.uk
London, October 2026 — Invincible Group has today announced the official nominations for the 24th Annual Urban Music Awards UK, marking its most expansive and publicly driven edition to date.
With over 1 million+ submissions from the public during the nominations phase, this year's shortlist reflects a shift in how audiences engage with music — where global stars, independent creators, and emerging talent now compete on equal footing.
At the centre of the 2026 nominations are defining clashes: Stormzy vs Central Cee in Best Male, Little Simz vs Raye in Best Female, and a fiercely contested Artist of the Year category spanning Hip Hop, Grime, Afrobeat and R&B.
Public Voting Open Now
Vote Now — Closes December 2026
The only major urban music awards determined entirely by public vote.
Cast Your Vote"Urban music is not a genre — it is a global language. The 2026 shortlist is a testament to how far that language now reaches, from London to Lagos, Kingston to Mumbai."
Broadcast Partner
Channel ONE TV
Exclusive broadcast & streaming partnership. Live to audiences across the UK.
channelonetv.co.ukTitle Partner
UMA Academy
The educational arm of the Urban Music Awards, developing the next generation of urban music talent since 1999.
The Urban Music Awards now represents a global community spanning artists, producers and industry professionals across seven international territories.
The 24th Urban Music Awards also introduces the Best Asian Act category — recognising the explosive growth of South Asian urban music and its crossover into the global mainstream.
Eligibility: 2026 Season
Full Nominations
24th Urban Music Awards 2026 · All 35 Categories
Artist of the Year (UK)
14 Nominees
Central Cee
Dave
Finn Askew
FLO
J Hus
Jim Legxacy
Lola Young
Nemzzz
Odeal
Olivia Dean
PinkPantheress
RAYE
Scorcher
Skepta
Best Male Act
14 Nominees
Aitch
Central Cee
Dave
Donaeo
Elmiene
Fuse ODG
Jim Legxacy
Kojey Radical
Myles Smith
Nemzzz
Odeal
Sampha
Scorcher
Skepta
Best Female Act
17 Nominees
Cleo Sol
FLO
JADE
Jorja Smith
kwn
Little Simz
Lola Young
Mahalia
Nia Smith
Olivia Dean
PinkPantheress
Rachel Chinouriri
RAYE
Sasha Keable
Shae Universe
Sonna Rele
Tamera
Sponsored by Astelle
Best Newcomer
18 Nominees
Chy Cartier
CRISTALE
DC3
EsDeeKid
Finessekid
Finn Askew
Jim Legxacy
kwn
LeoStayTrill
Namesbliss
Nectar Woode
Nia Smith
Nippa
Olympia Vitalis
Owen Saward
Sekou
Skye Newman
YT
Best Group
9 Nominees
D-Block Europe
Ezra Collective
FLO
House Gospel Choir
NSG
SAULT
Sol & The Gang
STXRM Collective
WSTRN
Best Album
10 Nominees
Central Cee — Can't Rush Greatness
DAMEDAME — Dreams on the Passenger Seat
Dave — The Boy Who Played the Harp
FLO — Access All Areas
Griminal — Grimace
Kojey Radical — Don't Look Down
Little Simz — Lotus
Nia Archives — Emotional Junglist
Olivia Dean — The Art of Loving
RAYE — This Music May Contain Hope
Sponsored by Channel ONE Radio (UK)
Best Single
20 Nominees
AJ Tracey feat. Jorja Smith — Crush
Akelle & Dexta Daps — Tink Bout It
Bugzy Malone — Tears
Dappy feat. Renaya — Straight Facts 2 (Remix)
Dave & Tems — Raindance
Dionne Bromfield — Greenlight
Donae'o feat. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir — Nights Like This
Durrty Goodz — Fight For England
Finn Askew — Music All Over Her Body
Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax — Victory Lap
Fuse ODG — 54 Countries
kwn — Do What I Say
Kyla x Moliy — Do You Mind (Remix)
Mr Eazi feat. Moliy — Comfort
Nippa feat. Blxst — Homegrown
Olivia Dean — Man I Need
Owen Saward, ANGEL! & WSTRN — Not Mine (OWA Remix)
Papoose — Jezebel
RAYE — Where Is My Husband!
Stormzy & Odeal — 24 Hours
Best Collaboration
18 Nominees
Akelle & Dexta Daps — Tink Bout It
Ama Louise & Wilfy D — Love Or War
Ayo Beatz & DJ Ironik — Lil Bit
Clean Bandit, Chlöe & Omah Lay — Company
Coki & Durrty Goodz — We Nah Business
Dave & Tems — Raindance
Deyah & Mercston — Switch
Donae'o feat. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir — Nights Like This
Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax — Victory Lap
Jim Legxacy & Dave — 3X
Kyla x Moliy — Do You Mind (Remix)
Lioness feat. Queenie — Savage 4 Who
Nippa feat. Blxst — Homegrown
Sam Fender feat. Olivia Dean — Rein Me In
Stormzy & Odeal — 24 Hours
Tamera feat. Aitch — Undeniable
Tinie Tempah & Daecolm — Living Life
Yourboywonder & Stylo G — Keep It Sweet
Best Music Video
16 Nominees
Akelle & Dexta Daps — Tink Bout It
Ayo Beatz & DJ Ironik — Lil Bit
Casper Walsh — Hustler Boogie
Dave & Tems — Raindance
Donae'o, Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir — Nights Like This
Dopebwoy & AJ Tracey — Stupid (Move It)
DJ MAC, MDot R & George P feat. CrashDummy — Confessions
Durrty Goodz — Fight For England
FKA twigs — Eusexua
Jim Legxacy — Father
Lioness feat. Queenie — Savage 4 Who
Little Simz feat. Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly — Flood
Olympia Vitalis — Painted Smiles
PinkPantheress — Illegal
Pozer — Shanghai Noon
RAYE — Where Is My Husband!
Best Live Act / Performance
11 Nominees
Dave
FLO
J Hus
Jorja Smith
Kojey Radical
Little Simz
Olivia Dean
Oritsé Williams
RAYE
Sampha
Skepta
Best Singer / Songwriter
10 Nominees
Elmiene
Jorja Smith
Lola Young
Michael Kiwanuka
Myles Smith
Odeal
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Sampha
Sasha Keable
Best Producer
10 Nominees
Fred again..
Inflo
JAE5
Knucks
M1OnTheBeat
P2J
PinkPantheress
Sammy Virji
Steel Banglez
TSB
Best DJ
13 Nominees
Charlie Sloth
Conducta
DJ AG
DJ Ironik
DJ Maximum
DJ Semtex
DJ Target
Jamz Supernova
Kenny Allstar
Larizzle
Mak 10
Sammy Virji
Sherelle
Best Hip Hop Act
12 Nominees
Aitch
Ceebo
Central Cee
D-Block Europe
Dave
Jim Legxacy
Knucks
Kojey Radical
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Nemzzz
Youngs Teflon
Best R&B / Soul Act
15 Nominees
Elmiene
Jim Legxacy
Jorja Smith
kwn
Mabel
Nectar Woode
Nia Smith
Nippa
Odeal
Olympia Vitalis
Owen Saward
Sampha
SAULT
Sasha Keable
Shae Universe
Best Grime Act
11 Nominees
Chip
D Double E
Durrty Goodz
Griminal
Jayahadadream
JME
Kano
Kasst 8
Scorcher
Skepta
Wiley
Best Drill Act
12 Nominees
36
Booter Bee
Chy Cartier
Digga D
EsDeeKid
Headie One
K-Trap
LeoStayTrill
Nemzzz
Pozer
Twin S
Wohdee
Best Afrobeats Act
11 Nominees
Asake
Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Davido
Moliy
Mr Eazi
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Tiwa Savage
Wizkid
Best Reggae / Dancehall Act
10 Nominees
Koffee
Lila Iké
Masicka
Popcaan
Protoje
Shenseea
Skillibeng
Spice
Vybz Kartel
Yung Bredda
Best Jazz Act
7 Nominees
Blue Lab Beats
Chelsea Carmichael
Kokoroko
Moses Boyd
Nubya Garcia
Shabaka
Yussef Dayes
Best Gospel Act
9 Nominees
Aaron Cole
CalledOut Music
DC3
Faith Child
Limoblaze
Rachel Kerr
Triple O
Volney Morgan & New Ye
Yourboywonder
Artist of the Year (USA)
10 Nominees
Cardi B (USA)
Clipse (USA)
Doechii (USA)
Kehlani (USA)
Kendrick Lamar (USA)
Leon Thomas (USA)
Mariah the Scientist (USA)
Papoose (USA)
SZA (USA)
Tyler, The Creator (USA)
Sponsored by Channel ONE TV (UK)
Artist of the Year (Africa)
13 Nominees
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Davido (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
Fuse ODG (Ghana / UK)
Moliy (Ghana)
Mr Eazi (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Artist of the Year (Caribbean)
11 Nominees
Amanda Reifer (Barbados)
Armanii (Jamaica)
Kes (Trinidad & Tobago)
Koffee (Jamaica)
Machel Montano (Trinidad & Tobago)
Masicka (Jamaica)
Popcaan (Jamaica)
Shenseea (Jamaica)
Skillibeng (Jamaica)
Spice (Jamaica)
Vybz Kartel (Jamaica)
Artist of the Year (France)
11 Nominees
Aya Nakamura (France)
Dadju (France)
Franglish (France)
Gazo (France)
Gims (France / DR Congo)
Hamza (Belgium)
JADE (France)
Ninho (France)
SDM (France)
Tayc (France)
Tiakola (France)
Artist of the Year (Asia)
9 Nominees
AP Dhillon (India / Canada)
Diljit Dosanjh (India)
DIVINE (India)
Hanumankind (India)
Jackson Wang (Hong Kong)
Jay Park (South Korea)
Karan Aujla (India / Canada)
KEI (South Korea)
Keshi (USA / Vietnam)
Artist of the Year (South America)
10 Nominees
Anitta (Brazil)
Bizarrap (Argentina)
Blessd (Colombia)
Emilia (Argentina)
Feid (Colombia)
J Balvin (Colombia)
Karol G (Colombia)
Nicki Nicole (Argentina)
Ryan Castro (Colombia)
Trueno (Argentina)
Best International Act
14 Nominees
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Bad Bunny (Puerto Rico)
Dina Ayada (Belgium)
Doechii (USA)
Kehlani (USA)
Kendrick Lamar (USA)
Leon Thomas (USA)
Papoose (USA)
Sarah Black (India)
Shenseea (Jamaica)
SZA (USA)
Tems (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Vybz Kartel (Jamaica)
Best Entertainer
11 Nominees
Big Zuu
Boris Becker
Chunkz
Harry Pinero
KSI
Munya Chawawa
Niko Omilana
ShxtsNGigs
Sol & The Gang
Stephen Sarpong
Zoe Baptiste
Best Podcast
10 Nominees
3 Shots of Tequila
90s Baby Show
Cocktails and Takeaways
HC Pod
No Behaviour Podcast
Saving Grace
ShxtsNGigs
The Day After TNB
The Diary of a CEO
The Receipts Podcast
Best Radio Show
18 Nominees
DJ Target — DJ Target, BBC Radio 1Xtra
Kenny Allstar — Radio 1's Rap Show, BBC Radio 1 / BBC Radio 1Xtra
Chuckie — 1Xtra's R&B Show, BBC Radio 1Xtra
DJ Edu — 1Xtra's AfroSounds Show, BBC Radio 1Xtra
Seani B — 1Xtra's Dancehall Show, BBC Radio 1Xtra
Remi Burgz — Remi Burgz, BBC Radio 1Xtra
Robert Bruce & Shayna Marie — Capital XTRA Breakfast, Capital XTRA
DJ Semtex — DJ Semtex, Capital XTRA
Manny Norte — The Norte Show, Capital XTRA
Ras Kwame — Reggae Recipe, Capital XTRA
Ace — The R&B Show, KISS XTRA
Juls — Afrobeats with Juls, KISS XTRA
Esi — The Rap Show, KISS XTRA
Davda — The Dancehall Show, KISS XTRA
Nick Gibbons — Nick Gibbons, Reprezent Radio
DJ GBE — #ONDECKWITHGBE, Reprezent Radio
TEEQS — New Music Mondays with TEEQS, The Beat London 103.6 FM
Lashana Camille — Lunchtime with Lashana Camille, The Beat London 103.6 FM
Best Radio Station
10 Nominees
BBC Radio 1Xtra
Capital XTRA
Capital XTRA Reloaded
Foundation FM
KISS XTRA
KISSTORY R&B
No Signal
Reprezent Radio
Rinse FM
The Beat London 103.6 FM
Best Music Discovery Platform
10 Nominees
Spotify
TikTok
Apple Music
YouTube Music
SoundCloud
Audiomack
Bandcamp
Shazam
Kick
Amazon Music
Best Record Label
11 Nominees
0207 Def Jam
#Merky Records
Atlantic Records UK
Black Butter Records
Dirty Hit
EMI Records
Since '93
Sony Music UK
Universal Music UK
Warner Records UK
Young
Best Viral Breakthrough Song
8 Nominees
EsDeeKid — Phantom
Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax — Victory Lap
Jim Legxacy & Dave — 3X
Olivia Dean — Man I Need
PinkPantheress — Illegal
RAYE — Where Is My Husband!
Shenseea feat. Vybz Kartel — Talk to Me Nuh
Skye Newman — Family Matters
Key Dates
Nominations OpenNow Open
Public Voting ClosesDecember 2026
UK Ceremony15 December 2026 · Central London
South Africa Ceremony9 December 2026 · Johannesburg
BroadcastLive on Channel ONE TV