Ayra Starr Makes Global Waves With 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nomination – Full List of Nominees

 

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Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has added another international accolade to her growing list of achievements after earning a nomination at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

The full roster of nominees for the 13th edition of the annual awards was revealed on Thursday, with Ayra Starr recognized in the World Artiste of the Year category. She will compete against South African singer Tyla, global pop star Jackson Wang, Japanese group JO1, and Ghanaian-American artist MOLIY.

Set to take place on March 26, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, United States, the iHeartRadio Music Awards celebrates top artists across genres worldwide, combining fan-voted categories with industry-recognized honors.

Below is the complete list of nominees as released by the organizers:

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 Artiste of the Year

• Ayra Starr

• Jackson Wang

• JO1

• MOLIY

• Tyla

(Other categories continue as announced by iHeartRadio)

Ayra Starr’s inclusion in the World Artiste of the Year category underscores her rising global influence and highlights the growing international recognition of Afrobeats. Her nomination positions her alongside top-tier global artists and marks a milestone in her career as she continues to break boundaries in the music industry.

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