Urban Music Awards · Est. 1999
Our Story
From the UMA Academy in 1999 to a global movement in 2026 — two decades of ceremonies, and 27 years of championing urban music culture.
1999
Academy Founded
2003
First Ceremony
15
Countries
27
Years
The Beginning
From the UMA Academy in 1999 to a global movement in 2026
The Urban Music Awards is a pioneering international awards platform celebrating excellence across R&B, Hip Hop, Soul, Afrobeats, Amapiano, Dance, Gospel, Reggae, Dancehall, Grime, Drill, UK Garage, Jazz and the many sounds shaping global urban culture.
The journey began in London in 1999 with the creation of the UMA Academy. Its purpose was to educate, mentor and empower musicians with the knowledge required to build sustainable careers. The Academy helped artists understand entrepreneurship, ownership, branding, promotion and the commercial realities of the music industry.
This work led to the launch of the first Urban Music Awards ceremony at the legendary Hammersmith Palais in London in 2003. At the time, British urban artists faced considerable barriers to mainstream recognition. The Urban Music Awards provided an important platform for emerging and established talent, placing the public at the centre of the nominations and voting process.
From those foundations in London, UMA developed into an international music organisation with a presence across 15 countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, South Africa, Cameroon, Mauritius, Jamaica and key markets throughout the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Today, UMA is more than an awards ceremony. It is a global network connecting artists, fans, brands, broadcasters, record labels, music professionals, educators and the next generation of creative talent.
JK
Jordan Kensington
Founder & President, Urban Music Awards
"We didn't wait for permission. We built the stage, the Academy and the audience — and we handed the vote to the fans. That's the foundation UMA was built on."
About the Founder
A pioneer of British urban music
The Urban Music Awards was founded by music entrepreneur and pioneer Jordan Kensington. Jordan began developing the UMA vision during the 1990s, when British urban music received limited support from mainstream broadcasters, awards organisations, record labels and major commercial brands.
Despite considerable resistance, he invested in awards ceremonies, music education, television programmes, live events and international tours to help British urban artists receive the recognition they deserved.
Through the UMA Academy, Jordan mentored and inspired thousands of artists to understand the commercial value of their music, believe in their creative identity and approach their careers as entrepreneurs.
The Urban Music Awards also became an early bridge between urban music culture and major international companies — partnerships with Coca Cola, Samsung Mobile, Timberland, Kickers, Foot Locker, MAC Cosmetics, Kangol and BlackBerry. Following the UK's success, the UMA platform expanded into the United States, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and beyond.
Our Global Journey
27 years, 15 countries
1999
The UMA Academy is born
Jordan Kensington launches the UMA Academy in London. The Academy begins educating and mentoring musicians in entrepreneurship, ownership, branding, business development and career sustainability. Work also begins on the creation of a major public awards platform dedicated to urban music.
Why UMA Was Created
A platform for the culture
The Urban Music Awards was created to recognise the achievements of artists, producers, DJs, radio personalities, broadcasters, club nights, record labels, promoters and organisations contributing to urban music culture.
From the beginning, UMA has celebrated both established stars and artists at the earliest stages of their careers. The platform was one of the first major awards organisations to champion British artists including Dizzee Rascal, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Wiley and Lethal Bizzle during an important period in the development of the United Kingdom's urban music scene.
UMA continues to recognise the genres, communities and creative movements that influence music around the world.
Previous Winners
The names that shaped a culture
Alongside internationally recognised names, UMA has consistently supported emerging artists and independent talent from around the world.
Public Nominations and Voting
The public voice is the foundation
Public participation has remained central to the Urban Music Awards since its inception. Music fans help shape the awards through public nominations and voting — reflecting the artists, genres and cultural movements that audiences genuinely support.
"The public voice is not an addition to the awards. It is part of the foundation on which UMA was built."
International Media Recognition
Covered by the world's media
The Urban Music Awards has received coverage from major international and national media organisations — helping UMA introduce artists, genres and cultural movements to audiences around the world.
BBC World Service
CNN
MTV
BET
VH1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Entertainment
Channel 4
London Tonight
Evening Standard
Metro
The Independent
The Guardian
The Voice
Choice FM
New Nation
Brand Partnerships
A bridge between culture and commerce
Throughout its history, UMA has worked with leading companies across technology, fashion, beauty, footwear, retail, drinks and consumer culture — creating meaningful relationships with music audiences through awards sponsorship, artist campaigns, content, product experiences, hospitality and international cultural partnerships.
Our Mission Today
Celebrate excellence.
Create opportunity. Connect the world.
Through the Urban Music Awards, UMA Academy, global artist network, community platform and international partnerships, we are building an organisation that supports artists throughout every stage of their journey — from education and discovery to recognition and global opportunity.
Work With UMA