Lights, cameras, and a global stage—African artists iHeartRadio Music Awards are making headlines like never before. Ayra Starr, Tyla, Moliy, and Shaboozey are not just nominees—they’re redefining what it means for African musicians to break into the international spotlight. With the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 around the corner, excitement is building for a night where rhythm meets recognition, and talent meets trend. This is the moment when Afrobeats crossover artists and rising African stars claim their global recognition, proving that music truly knows no borders.
The nominations drop during the 2026 awards season, a period when the world watches closely as global pop stars and African pop culture collide. For fans of Ayra Starr awards nominations, Tyla awards nominations, and Moliy iHeartRadio Music Awards nods, this is more than a list—it’s history in the making.
African Artists Stealing the Spotlight
This year, African musicians are not just participating—they are dominating. Moliy, the Ghanaian breakout star, leads the pack as the most-nominated African artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards nominees 2026. Her triple nods include World Artist of the Year, Best New Artist (Hip-Hop), and Best Music Video for the remix of Shake It to the Max (FLY) featuring Shenseea, Skillibeng, and Silent Addy. The track became an international sensation, topping the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats chart and ranking as one of the most Shazamed songs of 2025. This marks a landmark year for Afrobeats music and cements Moliy’s global music awards credentials. For a deeper dive into Afrobeats’ breakout year, check out our playlist of 2025’s standout hits.
Alongside Moliy, Ayra Starr iHeartRadio Music Awards and Tyla iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations highlight the unstoppable global rise of African pop stars. Ayra Starr has become synonymous with international recognition, while Tyla’s rising international profile positions her as a key Afrobeats crossover artist. Fans can witness the full force of African talent competing alongside global artists iHeartRadio Music Awards heavyweights like Jackson Wang and JO1.
Shaboozey Joins the Global Music Awards Conversation
Not to be overlooked, Shaboozey iHeartRadio nomination proves that African musicians are not just local sensations—they’re gaining worldwide music recognition. His hits, particularly Good News, earned nods for Song of the Year and Country Song of the Year, demonstrating the versatility and reach of African artists at international music awards. For those following Afrobeats and African musicians breaking international charts, Shaboozey’s nominations are another sign of the continent’s growing influence on the global stage.
Voting, Fans, and the Path to the Trophy
The iHeartRadio Music Awards African nominees include fan-voted categories like Best Music Video, giving global audiences a chance to support their favorite artists. Voting runs until 19 March, so fans of Afrobeats artists international awards and rising African artists worldwide can actively participate in shaping who walks away with the trophies.
Beyond the African stars, this year’s lineup features major names like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Bad Bunny, making it a competitive showcase of 2026 awards season heavyweights. African pop culture now firmly shares the stage with worldwide music recognition, signaling that African musicians global recognition is no longer niche—it’s mainstream.
2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards: More than just a ceremony
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards are more than just a ceremony—they’re a declaration. African artists nominated for these global music awards nominees 2026 are proof that talent, innovation, and culture can cross borders. From Afrobeats global takeover to African musicians breaking international charts, these nominations celebrate the soundtracks of today while shaping tomorrow’s trends.
For a look at how African music has dominated the year, explore our coverage of standout Afrobeats albums of 2025. Here, the journey of Ayra Starr international awards, Tyla global success, and Moliy global music awards nominations intersects with broader discussions on global pop stars and international music awards.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 will take place live at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, 26 March—a night that promises glamour, beats, and a full showcase of African artists making a global impact. From Ayra Starr music awards to Afrobeats crossover artists, this is a celebration of talent, vision, and the unstoppable rise of African pop culture on the world stage.
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iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 Nominees List
| Category | Nominee / Song |
|---|---|
| Song of the Year | “Anxiety” – Doechii |
| “Good News” – Shaboozey | |
| “Love Somebody” – Morgan Wallen | |
| “luther” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA | |
| “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter | |
| “MUTT” – Leon Thomas | |
| “Ordinary” – Alex Warren | |
| “Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else” – Benson Boone | |
| “Stargazing” – Myles Smith | |
| “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift | |
| Artist of the Year | Bad Bunny |
| Benson Boone | |
| Chris Brown | |
| Jelly Roll | |
| Kendrick Lamar | |
| Lady Gaga | |
| Morgan Wallen | |
| Sabrina Carpenter | |
| Tate McRae | |
| Taylor Swift | |
| Pop Artist of the Year | Alex Warren |
| Benson Boone | |
| Sabrina Carpenter | |
| Tate McRae | |
| Taylor Swift | |
| Pop Song of the Year | “Golden” – HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI |
| “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter | |
| “Ordinary” – Alex Warren | |
| “Pink Pony Club” – Chappell Roan | |
| “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift | |
| Best New Artist (Pop) | Alex Warren |
| Jessie Murph | |
| Myles Smith | |
| Ravyn Lenae | |
| sombr | |
| Duo/Group of the Year | HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI |
| Linkin Park | |
| Maroon 5 | |
| Shinedown | |
| Twenty One Pilots | |
| Best Collaboration | “All The Way” – BigXthaPlug ft. Bailey Zimmerman |
| “APT.” – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars | |
| “luther” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA | |
| “Timeless” – The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti | |
| “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” – GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red | |
| Country Song of the Year | “After All The Bars Are Closed” – Thomas Rhett |
| “Good News” – Shaboozey | |
| “Liar” – Jelly Roll | |
| “Love Somebody” – Morgan Wallen | |
| “Whiskey Drink” – Jason Aldean | |
| Country Artist of the Year | Jason Aldean |
| Jelly Roll | |
| Lainey Wilson | |
| Luke Combs | |
| Morgan Wallen | |
| Best New Artist (Country) | Chase Matthew |
| Ella Langley | |
| Hudson Westbrook | |
| Josh Ross | |
| Zach Top | |
| Hip-Hop Song of the Year | “luther” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA |
| “NOKIA” – Drake | |
| “Outside” – Cardi B | |
| “The Largest” – BigXthaPlug | |
| “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” – GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red | |
| Hip-Hop Artist of the Year | Cardi B |
| GloRilla | |
| Kendrick Lamar | |
| Playboi Carti | |
| Tyler, The Creator | |
| Best New Artist (Hip-Hop) | MOLIY |
| PLUTO | |
| Real Boston Richey | |
| YKNIECE | |
| ZEDDY WILL | |
| R&B Song of the Year | “Burning Blue” – Mariah the Scientist |
| “Folded” – Kehlani | |
| “MUTT” – Leon Thomas | |
| “Residuals” – Chris Brown | |
| “SOMEBODY LOVES ME” – PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake | |
| R&B Artist of the Year | Chris Brown |
| Kehlani | |
| Leon Thomas | |
| Mariah the Scientist | |
| SZA | |
| Best New Artist (R&B) | Jenevieve |
| Kwn | |
| Leon Thomas | |
| Mariah the Scientist | |
| Sailorr | |
| World Artist of the Year | Ayra Starr |
| Jackson Wang | |
| JO1 | |
| MOLIY | |
| Tyla |
