Ayra Starr, Tyla, Moliy and Shaboozey Earn 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominations

The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations were announced, and Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, South African star Tyla, Ghanaian-American artist Moliy, and Nigerian-American singer Shaboozey were all nominated.

For Nigerian fans, Ayra Starr’s nomination has particular significance. Songs like Rush have stayed in global radio and streaming circulation, and her inclusion places her among some of the biggest names in world music.

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Tyla appears in the same category. The South African singer has helped take amapiano into global pop spaces and her nomination reflects how widely the sound has spread.

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This year, Moliy earned multiple nominations, including World Artist of the Year and Best New Artist (Hip-Hop). Her music spans multiple genres , and the recognition points to her growing reach outside Africa.

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Shaboozey is nominated for Song of the Year with “A Bar Song” (Tipsy). It is uncommon to see an artist with African roots recognised in a U. S-centric award space, which makes his inclusion notable.

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A few years ago, this mix would have seemed unlikely.

The awards ceremony will take place on March 26, 2026. With Ayra Starr, Tyla, Moliy, and Shaboozey on the list, African artists are firmly part of the global awards conversation.