The Urban Music Awards 2023 Nominees

The 19th annual Urban Music Awards (UMA’s) announced their nominations for the upcoming ceremony.

It will take place on February 28, 2023, at London’s Porchester Hall.

The awards will be broadcast live on VooVix TV, which has commissioned the event and will also feature backstage interviews and highlights packages.

The UMA’s are a celebration of urban music and the talented artists within the genre, and the nominees of 2023 represent a diverse range of sounds and styles.

The nominations and voting are conducted by music fans worldwide, providing a platform for fans to have a say in who takes home the prestigious awards.

Among the nominees is DJ Khaled, who has received four nominations.

The nominations are in relation to his 13th studio album God Did, which features a whole host of A-list collaborations, including Rick Ross, Drake and Eminem.

British producer Steel Banglez received a nomination for ‘Best Producer’.

Rappers DIVINE and Raja Kumari are nominated for ‘Artist of the Year Asia’.

Both have enjoyed a successful year, with DIVINE releasing his album Gunehgar. Meanwhile, Raja Kumari featured on a number of songs and released her EP HBIC.

In addition to the awards ceremony, VooVix TV will also be relaunching its flagship reality TV show, Britain’s Next Urban Superstar.

Auditions will commence in London on February 13. The finalists will be announced at the Urban Music Awards ceremony.

Jordan Kensington, Founder and President of the UMA’s, said:

“The UMA’s at it’s core has always been about mentoring, nurturing and assisting the next generation of artists as well as celebrating the present class of amazing breakthrough talent.

“2023 marks 19 years of tenacity, hard work and perseverance.

“To see the aftermath of urban music becoming the new popular genre worldwide is a huge dream we had 19 years ago.

“We are both excited and pleased that hard work and consistency paid off.”

The UMA’s is the only awards ceremony held in 15 countries and to celebrate the 19th anniversary, the 2023 ceremony promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

The Nominations for the Urban Music Awards

Artist of the Year (UK)

• Central Cee
• Mahalia
• Knucks
• Stormzy
• Ms Banks
• A1 x J1
• Cleo Sol
• Jnr Choi

Artist of the Year (USA)

• Chris Brown
• Beyonce
• Lizzo
• Drake
• DJ Khaled
• Cardi B
• Coi Leray
• GloRilla
• Latto
• 21 Savage
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Nicki Minaj
• Jack Harlow

Best Male Act

• Nippa
• Karl Benjamin
• Willum Maindo
• SIPHO
• Nemzzz
• Knucks
• Stormzy
• Novelist

Best Female Act

• Tamera
• AMARIA BB
• Shaé Universe
• ENNY
• FLO
• Mahalia
• Raye
• Libianca
• Ella Mai
• Shay

Most Creative Artist

• Central Cee
• FLO
• Stormzy
• Coi Leray
• Cleo Sol
• Drake
• Darkoo
• Dreya Mac
• Ivorian Doll
• Miraa May
• Ms Banks
• Stefflon Don
• Saweetie

Best Newcomer

• Nippa
• Tamera
• AMARIA BB
• ML
• Kali Claire
• Karl Benjamin
• tendai
• Akemi Fox
• ENNY
• Libianca

Best Singer/Songwriter

• [ K S R ]
• Shaé Universe
• Willum Maindo
• Reuben James
• Debbie
• Rasharn Powell
• SIPHO.
• Lola Young
• Priya Ragu
• Mahalia

Best Group

• FLO
• Bad Boy Chiller Crew
• V9 Collective
• Kokoroko
• D Block Europe
• IDMC
• The Spirituals
• Ezra Collective

Most Inspiring Act

• Chris Brown
• DJ Khaled
• Ed Sheeran
• Dreya Mac
• FLO
• Bugzy Malone
• Ivorian Doll
• Deno
• Lizzo

Best Grime Act

• Lethal Bizzle
• Frisco
• P Money
• D Double E
• Blay Vision
• Frisco
• Kamakaze
• Manga Saint Hilare
• Novelist

Best Hip-Hop Act

• Kofi Stone
• Central Cee
• Meekz
• Loyle Carner
• Ms Banks
• Giggs
• Dave
• Potter Payper
• Little Simz
• Fredo

Best Drill Act

• Digga D
• Headie One
• Ivorian Doll
• K-Trap
• Central Cee
• Russ Millions
• Unknown T
• Kwengface

Best R&B Act

• Mahalia
• Nippa
• Tamera
• AMARIA BB
• Shaé Universe
• Karl Benjamin
• SIPHO
• Ella Mai

Best Jazz Act

• Jackson Mathod
• Xvngo
• Nubya Garcia
• Camilla George
• Xhosa Cole
• Davina Adeosun-Bright, AKA Muva of Earth
• Ezra Collective

Best Gospel Act

• Asha Elia
• IDMC
• The Spirituals
• Tab Worship
• Calledout Music
• Reblah
• Sarah Teibo
• Still Shadey
• Salient Sound
• V9 Collective

Artist of the Year (Africa)

• Tems (Nigeria)
• Nasty C (South Africa)
• Youssou N’Dour (Senegal)
• Stanley Enow (Cameroon)
• Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
• Davido (Nigeria)
• Rema (Nigeria)
• Angelique Kidjo (Benin Republic)
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Wizkid (Nigeria)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Libianca (Cameroon)

Artist of the Year (Caribbean)

• Sean Paul
• Shenseea
• Skillibeng
• Spice
• Kabaka Pyramid
• Beenie Man
• Buju Banton
• Popcaan

Artist of the Year (France)

• Aya Nakamura
• Kendji Girac
• M Pokora
• Orelsan
• Slimane
• Soprano
• Niska
• Dadju
• Imen Es
• Vitaa
• Wedjene

Artist of the Year (South America)

• Bad Bunny
• J Balvin
• Rauw Alejandro
• Karol G
• Alvaro Diaz
• Boza
• Gera MX
• Ivan Cornejo
• Kevvo
• Ovidio Crespo

Artist of the Year (Asia)

• Awich (Japan)
• Crush (South Korea)
• Jin Dogg (Japan)
• Heize (South Korea)
• Divine (India)
• Jace Chang (Hong Kong)
• Tosh Rock (Singapore)
• Lee Hi (South Korea)
• K Clique (Malaysia)
• Gaeko (South Korea)
• Jackson Wang (Hong Kong)
• Yung Raja (Singapore)
• Raja Kumari (India)

Best Single

• Stepz – ‘Cramp Dat’
• FLO – ‘Cardboard Box’
• K-Trap – ‘Warm’
• Central Cee – ‘Doja’
• Mahalia – ‘Letter to Ur Ex’
• Loyle Carner – ‘Hate’
• Stormzy – ‘Hide and Seek’
• Raye – ‘The Thrill is Gone’
• Bayanni – ‘Ta Ta Ta’
• Deno – ‘Better Now’
• LOJAY X SARZ featuring Chris Brown – ‘Mona Lisa’
• Libianca – ‘People’

Best Collaboration

• Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran – ‘Peru’
• Chris Brown featuring Wizkid – ‘Call Me Every Day’
• DJ Khaled featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend and Fridayy – ‘God Did’
• D-Block Europe featuring Central Cee – ‘Overseas’
• Stefflon Don & Ms Banks – ‘Dip’
• Aitch featuring Ashanti – ‘Baby’
• Knucks – ‘Alpha House’/’Hide & Seek’
• Little Simz featuring Obongjayar – ‘Point and Kill’
• M Huncho featuring Headie One – ‘Warzone’
• Pa Salieu featuring slowthai – ‘Glidin’
• Jnr Choi & Sam Tompkins – ‘To the Moon’

Best Viral Breakthrough Song

• Ice Spice – ‘Munch’
• Stepz – ‘Cramp Dat’
• Saint Levant – ‘Very Few Friends’
• Bayanni – ‘Ta Ta Ta’
• Ckay – ‘Emiliana’
• Libianca – ‘People’
• Saucy Santana – ‘Material Girl’
• Armani White – BILLIE EILISH’
• Lizzo – ‘About Damn Time’
• Jack Harlow – ‘First Class’

Best Album

• Little Simz – No Thank You
• Knucks – Alpha Place
• Drake & 21 Savage – Her Loss
• Kojey Radical – Reason to Smile
• Stormzy – This Is What I Mean
• Chris Brown – Breezy
• Beyonce – Renaissance
• DJ Khaled – God Did
• Cleo Sol – Mother
• Dave – We’re All Alone in This Together
• M Huncho – Chasing Euphoria
• Tion Wayne – Green With Envy

Best Music Video

• Mahalia – ‘Letter to Ur Ex’
• Loyle Carner – ‘Hate’
• Stormzy – ‘Hide & Seek’
• Headie One, Abra Cadabra & Bandokay – ‘Can’t Be Us’
• Stefflon Don & Ms Banks – ‘Dip’
• Dave featuring Stormzy – ‘Clash’
• Benzz – ‘Je M’appelle’
• Russ Millions featuring Buni & YV – ‘Reggae & Calypso’
• SwitchOTR featuring A1 x J1 – ‘Coming for You’
• Pa Salieu featuring slowthai – ‘Glidin’
• M Huncho featuring Yung Bleu – ‘Who We Are’
• Jnr Choi & Sam Tompkins – ‘To the Moon’

Best Producer

• Jae5
• Nathaniel London
• P2J
• TSB
• Inflo
• Young Chencs
• Steel Banglez
• Conducta
• Ayo Beatz
• Ragz Originale
• LiTek & WhyJay
• Quincy Tellem
• Venna

Best Record Label

• Neighbourhood Recordings
• Island Records
• EGA Music
• Dave Neighbourhood
• Merky Records
• Columbia
• Republic Records
• BMG
• Atlantic Records
• Warner Records

Best DJ

• Osocity
• DJ Black Coffee
• David Guetta
• Charlie Sloth
• DJ Target
• Henrie Kwushue
• Kenny Allstar
• Manny Norte
• Rob Bruce
• Sir Spyro
• Tiffany Calver

Best Radio Station

• Rinse FM
• Capital Xtra
• BBC 1 Xtra
• Kiss FM
• Déjà vu
• Beats 1
• Westside Radio
• Colourful
• The Beat London
• Vibe 107.6
• Pulse 88

Best Radio Show

• Pretty Hood (Rinse FM)
• Nadia Jae (BBC 1Xtra)
• Dotty (Beats 1)
• Snoochie Shy (BBC 1Xtra)
• Charlie Sloth (Beats 1)
• DJ Edu (BBC 1Xtra)
• Yinka & Shayna Marie (Capital Xtra)
• Ras Kwame (Reggae Recipe)
• Kenny Allstar (BBC 1Xtra)
• Robert Bruce ( Capital Xtra)
• Reece Parkinson (BBC 1Xtra)
• Tiffany Calver (BBC 1Xtra)
• Joelah & Keke (BBC 1Xtra)

Best Performance in a TV Show

• David Adeogun – ‘Diamond’ (The Voice)
• Antonia Edwards – ‘When The Party’s Over’ (The Voice)
• Flintz and T4lyor – ‘Pressure’ (BGT)
• Fresh Lapeufra (Rhythm and Flow France)
• Linda John Pierre – ‘Somebody Else’s Guy’ (BGT)
• Big Jest (The Rap Game UK)
• Rachel Modest – ‘For All We Know’ (The Voice)
• Houssbad (Rhythm and Flow, France)
• Triniboi Joocie – ‘Bottle Over Head’ (The Voice)
• Noeva – ‘A Woman’s Worth’ (The Voice)

Best Entertainer

• Big Zuu
• Chunkz
• Harry Pinero
• KSI
• Mo Gilligan
• Munya Chawawa
• Nella Rose
• Specs Gonzalez
• Yung Filly
• Zeze Millz
• Big Narstie

Best Podcast

• Caresha Please
• 3 Shots of Tequila
• Brunch & Bantu Knots Podcast
• Seasoned Sessions
• Pints of Malt
• The Joe Budden Podcast
• Hotboxin with Mike Tyson
• The Receipts Podcast
• Black Gals Livin’
• Who We Be Talks
• Don’t Alert The Stans
• Off The Cuff

Best Online Music Platform

• Spotify
• Apple Music
• TikTok
• YouTube Music
• Tidal
• Audio Mack
• Deezer
• Shazam
• Amazon Music

With the 2023 Urban Music Awards set to be its biggest ceremony ever, voting is live until February 20.

You can book tickets or watch the ceremony live on VooVix TV.