The Urban Music Awards (UMA) today announced the nominations for its 24th annual ceremony, celebrating the very best of UK and international urban music across 35 categories. The gala returns to London on Tuesday 15 December 2026 — and this year's shortlists are the most globally expansive in the awards' history.
Dave leads this year's nominations with ten, including Artist of the Year (UK), Best Album for The Boy Who Played the Harp and three nods for his collaboration with Tems, "Raindance". RAYE, Olivia Dean and Jim Legxacy follow with eight nominations each, while Skepta earns seven, including recognition for "Victory Lap" with Fred again.. and PlaqueBoyMax.
The Artist of the Year (UK) shortlist brings together Central Cee, Dave, Finn Askew, FLO, J Hus, Jim Legxacy, Lola Young, Nemzzz, Odeal, Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Scorcher and Skepta.
Public voting is open now. Fans can cast their votes at urbanmusicawards.org/voting, with the gala streamed live to millions of subscribers on Channel One TV.
Dave, RAYE and the Year's Headline Battles
Dave's decade-defining run continues: The Boy Who Played the Harp earns him a Best Album nod against Central Cee's Can't Rush Greatness, Little Simz's Lotus, RAYE's This Music May Contain Hope, Olivia Dean's The Art of Loving and FLO's Access All Areas. In Best Group, Ezra Collective, D-Block Europe, NSG, SAULT and FLO lead the nominees.
RAYE's eight nominations cement one of the most striking career reinventions in British music, while Jim Legxacy's breakthrough year sees the rising star contest Artist of the Year, Best Newcomer, Best R&B / Soul Act and multiple single and collaboration categories.
A Global Awards: Kendrick, Burna Boy, Bad Bunny and More
This year's awards reach further than ever, with international categories honouring artists from the USA, Africa, the Caribbean, France, Asia and South America. Nominees include Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Doechii, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Tyla, Vybz Kartel, Aya Nakamura, Diljit Dosanjh, Bad Bunny and Karol G.
The Best International Act shortlist alone spans Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Belgium, the USA, India, Jamaica and South Africa — a measure of how far the awards' footprint now stretches beyond the UK.
"For 24 years, the Urban Music Awards have championed the artists, producers, DJs and creators who drive our culture forward. This year's nominees show just how strong, diverse and global urban music has become. Now it's over to the fans: get voting, and we'll see you on 15 December for a night of elegance, fashion, performances and the biggest celebration of the year."
Jordan Kensington, President & CEO, Urban Music AwardsVoting, Tickets and the Live Broadcast
Fans can vote for their favourite nominees now at urbanmusicawards.org/voting. Tickets and VIP tables for the gala — including the red carpet, live performances, the awards ceremony and the official afterparty — are on sale at urbanmusicawards.org/tickets.
The 24th Annual Urban Music Awards will be streamed live to millions of subscribers on the streaming TV network Channel One TV.
The Full UMA 2026 Nominations
24th Annual Urban Music Awards · Voting open now · Ceremony: 15 December 2026, London
Headline Awards
Artist of the Year (UK)
- Central Cee
- Dave
- Finn Askew
- FLO
- J Hus
- Jim Legxacy
- Lola Young
- Nemzzz
- Odeal
- Olivia Dean
- PinkPantheress
- RAYE
- Scorcher
- Skepta
Best Male Act
- Aitch
- Central Cee
- Dave
- Donae'o
- Elmiene
- Fuse ODG
- Jim Legxacy
- Kojey Radical
- Myles Smith
- Nemzzz
- Odeal
- Sampha
- Scorcher
- Skepta
Best Female Act
- 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
Best Newcomer
- 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
- D-Block Europe
- Ezra Collective
- FLO
- House Gospel Choir
- NSG
- SAULT
- Sol & The Gang
- STXRM Collective
- WSTRN
Best Album
- 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
- Natanya — Attitude Era
- Nia Archives — Emotional Junglist
- Olivia Dean — The Art of Loving
- RAYE — This Music May Contain Hope
Best Single
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Dave
- FLO
- J Hus
- Jorja Smith
- Kojey Radical
- Little Simz
- Olivia Dean
- Oritsé Williams
- RAYE
- Sampha
- Skepta
Best Singer / Songwriter
- Elmiene
- Jorja Smith
- Lola Young
- Michael Kiwanuka
- Myles Smith
- Odeal
- Olivia Dean
- RAYE
- Sampha
- Sasha Keable
Best Producer
- Fred again..
- Inflo
- JAE5
- Knucks
- M1OnTheBeat
- P2J
- PinkPantheress
- Sammy Virji
- Steel Banglez
- TSB
Best DJ
- Charlie Sloth
- Conducta
- DJ AG
- DJ Ironik
- DJ Maximum
- DJ Semtex
- DJ Target
- Jamz Supernova
- Kenny Allstar
- Larizzle
- Mak 10
- Sammy Virji
- Sherelle
Genre Awards
Best Hip Hop Act
- 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
- 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
- Chip
- D Double E
- Durrty Goodz
- Griminal
- Jayahadadream
- JME
- Kano
- Kasst 8
- Scorcher
- Skepta
- Wiley
Best Drill Act
- 36
- Booter Bee
- Chy Cartier
- Digga D
- EsDeeKid
- Headie One
- K-Trap
- LeoStayTrill
- Nemzzz
- Pozer
- Twin S
- Wohdee
Best Afrobeats Act
- Asake
- Ayra Starr
- Burna Boy
- Davido
- Moliy
- Mr Eazi
- Rema
- Shallipopi
- Tems
- Tiwa Savage
- Wizkid
Best Reggae / Dancehall Act
- Koffee
- Lila Iké
- Masicka
- Popcaan
- Protoje
- Shenseea
- Skillibeng
- Spice
- Vybz Kartel
- Yung Bredda
Best Jazz Act
- Blue Lab Beats
- Chelsea Carmichael
- Kokoroko
- Moses Boyd
- Nubya Garcia
- Shabaka
- Yussef Dayes
Best Gospel Act
- Aaron Cole
- CalledOut Music
- DC3
- Faith Child
- Limoblaze
- Rachel Kerr
- Triple O
- Volney Morgan & New Ye
- Yourboywonder
International Awards
Artist of the Year (USA)
- Cardi B
- Clipse
- Doechii
- Kehlani
- Kendrick Lamar
- Leon Thomas
- Mariah the Scientist
- Papoose
- SZA
- Tyler, The Creator
Artist of the Year (Africa)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- 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)
Culture, Media & Digital
Best Entertainer
- Big Zuu
- Boris Becker
- Chunkz
- Harry Pinero
- KSI
- Munya Chawawa
- Niko Omilana
- ShxtsNGigs
- Sol & The Gang
- Stephen Sarpong
- Zoe Baptiste
Best Podcast
- 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
- DJ Target — DJ Target, BBC Radio 1Xtra
- Kenny Allstar — Radio 1's Rap Show, BBC Radio 1 / 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
- 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, The Beat London 103.6 FM
- Lashana Camille — Lunchtime with Lashana Camille, The Beat London 103.6 FM
Best Radio Station
- 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
- Spotify
- TikTok
- Apple Music
- YouTube Music
- SoundCloud
- Audiomack
- Bandcamp
- Shazam
- Kick
- Amazon Music
Best Record Label
- 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
- 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”
About the Urban Music Awards
Now in its 24th year, the Urban Music Awards celebrates excellence in urban music, recognising artists, producers, DJs, labels, broadcasters and creators across the UK and around the world. Winners are decided with the involvement of the public vote. More information at urbanmusicawards.org.
Vote Now — Public Voting for the 24th UMA Is Open
Your vote decides the winners of the 24th Annual Urban Music Awards. Cast it today, then join the celebration in London on 15 December 2026.
Ceremony: Tuesday 15 December 2026 · London · Streamed live on Channel One TV