Dave Tops The Nominee List For The 2026 Urban Music Awards

Dave, Olivia Dean, RAYE and Jim Legxacy are some of the biggest names in the running for this year’s Urban Music Awards. Now in its 24th year, the ceremony is heading back to London on December 15 to recognise talent from across the UK and the international urban music scene. With ten nominations, Dave has earned more nods than any other artist this year. His nominations include Artist of the Year (UK) and Best Album for The Boy Who Played the Harp, while his Tems collaboration ‘Raindance’ is competing in three categories. Olivia Dean, RAYE and Jim Legxacy have each received eight nominations. Skepta is close behind with seven, with ‘Victory Lap’, his track alongside Fred again.. and PlaqueBoyMax, also earning recognition. Central Cee, Dave, Finn Askew, FLO, J Hus, Jim Legxacy, Lola Young, Nemzzz, Odeal, Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Scorcher and Skepta are all competing for Artist of the Year (UK). The Best Album shortlist features Central Cee’s Cant 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. Meanwhile, Ezra Collective, D Block Europe, NSG, SAULT and FLO are competing for Best Group. The ceremony is also giving more attention to music from around the world, with awards recognising artists from the USA, Africa, the Caribbean, France, Asia and South America. Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Doechii, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Tyla, Vybz Kartel, Aya Nakamura, Diljit Dosanjh, Bad Bunny and Karol G are among the international names nominated. Speaking about this year’s nominations, Cressida Oppenheimer, Vice President of the Urban Music Awards, said: “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.” Fans can cast their votes at urbanmusicawards.org/voting. Tickets and VIP tables can also be purchased through the awards’ official website, with the evening featuring a red carpet, live performances, the award presentations and an official afterparty. Viewers will be able to watch the celebration live on Channel One TV. The 2026 Urban Music Awards nominations:   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 Donaeo 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 and The Gang STXRM Collective WSTRN   Best Album Central Cee – Cant Rush Greatness DAMEDAME – Dreams on the Passenger Seat Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp FLO – Access All Areas Griminal – Grimace Kojey Radical – Dont Look Down Little Simz – Lotus 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 and Dexta Daps – Tink Bout It Bugzy Malone – Tears Dappy feat. Renaya – Straight Facts 2 Remix Dave and Tems – Raindance Dionne Bromfield – Greenlight Donaeo feat. Omar, Lemar and House Gospel Choir – Nights Like This Durrty Goodz – Fight For England Finn Askew – Music All Over Her Body Fred again.., Skepta and 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 and WSTRN – Not Mine OWA Remix Papoose – Jezebel RAYE – Where Is My Husband! Stormzy and Odeal – 24 Hours   Best Collaboration Akelle and Dexta Daps – Tink Bout It Ama Louise and Wilfy D – Love Or War Ayo Beatz and DJ Ironik – Lil Bit Clean Bandit, Chloe and Omah Lay – Company Coki and Durrty Goodz – We Nah Business Dave and Tems – Raindance Deyah and Mercston – Switch Donaeo feat. Omar, Lemar and House Gospel Choir – Nights Like This Fred again.., Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap Jim Legxacy and 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 and Odeal – 24 Hours Tamera feat. Aitch – Undeniable Tinie Tempah and Daecolm – Living Life Yourboywonder and Stylo G – Keep It Sweet   Best Music Video Akelle and Dexta Daps – Tink Bout It Ayo Beatz and DJ Ironik – Lil Bit Casper Walsh – Hustler Boogie Dave and Tems – Raindance Donaeo, Omar, Lemar and House Gospel Choir – Nights Like This Dopebwoy and AJ Tracey – Stupid Move It DJ MAC, MDot R and 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 and 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 Oritse 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 and 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 Ike 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 and 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 Ayra Starr Black Sherif Burna Boy Davido Diamond Platnumz Fally Ipupa Fuse ODG Moliy Mr Eazi Rema Tems Wizkid   Artist of the Year (Caribbean) Amanda Reifer Armanii Kes Koffee Machel Montano Masicka Popcaan Shenseea Skillibeng Spice Vybz Kartel   Artist of the Year (France) Aya Nakamura Dadju Franglish Gazo Gims Hamza JADE Ninho SDM Tayc Tiakola   Artist of the Year (Asia) AP Dhillon Diljit Dosanjh DIVINE Hanumankind Jackson Wang Jay Park Karan Aujla KEI Keshi   Artist of the Year (South America) Anitta Bizarrap Blessd Emilia Feid J Balvin Karol G Nicki Nicole Ryan Castro Trueno   Best International Act Ayra Starr Bad Bunny Dina Ayada Doechii Kehlani Kendrick Lamar Leon Thomas Papoose Sarah Black Shenseea SZA Tems Tyla Vybz Kartel   Culture, Media and Digital Best Entertainer Big Zuu Boris Becker Chunkz Harry Pinero KSI Munya Chawawa Niko Omilana ShxtsNGigs Sol and 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 1s Rap Show, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra Chuckie – 1Xtras R and B Show, BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Edu – 1Xtras AfroSounds Show, BBC Radio 1Xtra Seani B – 1Xtras Dancehall Show, BBC Radio 1Xtra Remi Burgz – Remi Burgz, BBC Radio 1Xtra Robert Bruce and 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 and 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 BBC Radio 1Xtra Capital XTRA Capital XTRA Reloaded Foundation FM KISS XTRA KISSTORY R and 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 and PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap Jim Legxacy and 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