2 weeks ago
6
Ghanaian breakout star MOLIY has made history at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, becoming the most-nominated African artist at the 2026 edition of the globally celebrated ceremony. Her achievement marks a defining moment for African artists on the largest radio awards show in the US.
MOLIY earned three high-profile nominations:
-
Best New Artist (Hip-Hop)
-
World Artist of the Year
-
Best Music Video (Socially Voted) for Shake It To The Max (FLY) (Remix) with Silent Addy, Skillibeng and Shenseea.
In the Best Music Video: *Socially Voted Category they are up against:
- “Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga
- “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” – Bad Bunny
- “BORN AGAIN” – LISA feat. Doja Cat & RAYE
- “Gabriela” – KATSEYE
- “JUMP” – BLACKPINK
- “like JENNIE” – JENNIE
- “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter
- “Ordinary” – Alex Warren
- “Sapphire” – Ed Sheeran
- “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
- “toxic till the end” – ROSÉ
A Record-Breaking 2025
MoliyMOLIY’s momentum follows a whirlwind 2025. “Shake It To The Max (FLY) (Remix)”—a cross-cultural collaboration with Silent Addy, Skillibeng, and Shenseea—became the most Shazamed song of 2025 and was crowned Billboard’s No. 1 U.S. Afrobeats Song of 2025.
Overall this year Taylor Swift has the most monitions with 9 nods for:
-
Song of the Year
-
Artist of the Year
-
Pop Artist of the Year
-
Pop Song of the Year
-
Favorite TikTok Dance
-
Best Lyrics
-
Best Music Video
-
Favorite On Screen
-
Favorite Tour Style
Bad Bunny has 6 nominations for:
-
Artist of the Year
-
Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year (2 entries)
-
Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year
-
Best Lyrics
-
Best Music Video
Sabrina Carpenter — 6 nominations
-
Song of the Year
-
Artist of the Year
-
Pop Artist of the Year
-
Pop Song of the Year
-
Best Lyrics
-
Best Music Video
Kendrick Lamar — 5 nominations
-
Song of the Year
-
Artist of the Year
-
Best Collaboration
-
Hip-Hop Song of the Year
-
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Other African Artists Recognized
MOLIY is not alone in carrying the African flag this year. Fellow African stars Ayra Starr and Tyla also received nominations in the World Artist of the Year category,
Jamaican Artists on the Nominee List
The impact of the Caribbean is also strongly felt this year. Jamaican artists Shenseea, Skillibeng, and Silent Addy are among the nominees, thanks to their contributions to “Shake It To The Max (FLY) (Remix),” which is nominated for Best Music Video. Their recognition underscores the powerful synergy between African and Caribbean sounds shaping today’s global music culture.
Set to take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards will celebrate the most-played music of 2025 while spotlighting the sounds leading into 2026. With fan voting playing a major role, MOLIY’s nominations represent both critical acclaim and grassroots global support.
English (US) ·