iHeartRadio music awards 2026 reveals full list of nominees for march ceremony

The iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 has unveiled its comprehensive list of nominees, setting the stage for one of music’s biggest nights. The highly anticipated ceremony is scheduled to take place at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 26. This event promises to celebrate the diverse soundscape of contemporary music, acknowledging both established legends and emerging talents across various genres.

Music enthusiasts worldwide now have the opportunity to cast their votes, influencing the outcome of several coveted categories. Voting officially opened to the public on the iHeartRadio official website and will remain active until March 19, allowing fans to support their favorite artists and tracks. The awards continue to foster a strong connection between artists and their fan bases through this interactive process.

This year’s awards introduce a series of innovative categories, expanding beyond traditional music accolades. New additions include “Best Broadway Debut,” “Best TikTok Dance,” and “Best Tour Photographer,” reflecting the evolving landscape of entertainment and digital culture. These categories highlight the multifaceted creativity contributing to the music industry today.

General categories spotlight top artists and songs

The prestigious “Song of the Year” category features a dynamic mix of hits, with Doechii’s “Anxiety,” Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody,” and Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther” among the contenders. Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” also garnered nominations, showcasing the broad appeal of this year’s top tracks. These songs dominated airwaves and streaming platforms, resonating with a global audience.

For “Artist of the Year,” a competitive field includes heavyweights like Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny, alongside rising stars such as Benson Boone and Sabrina Carpenter. Lady Gaga and Morgan Wallen also secured nominations, underscoring their enduring impact and popularity. The “Global Artist of the Year” category recognizes international sensations like Ayra Starr, Jackson Wang, and Tyla, reflecting music’s increasingly global reach.

Pop and k-pop contenders vie for recognition

The Pop categories showcase some of the genre’s biggest names and breakout artists. “Pop Artist of the Year” sees Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Benson Boone vying for the title, each having achieved significant commercial and critical success over the past year. Their consistent output of chart-topping singles and albums demonstrates their influence in the pop landscape.

“Pop Song of the Year” highlights tracks that defined the genre, including Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” and Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia.” The category also acknowledges “Golden” by “Guerreiras do K-pop” and Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” In the burgeoning K-Pop scene, artists like Jennie, J-Hope, and Rosé are nominated for “K-Pop Artist of the Year.”

“K-Pop Group of the Year” features global powerhouses such as BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, and TWICE, reflecting the genre’s explosive growth and dedicated fandom. Collaborations like Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” and J-Hope’s “Killin’ It Girl” feat. GloRilla are recognized in “K-Pop Song of the Year,” demonstrating the genre’s ability to transcend cultural boundaries. The “Best K-Pop Collaboration” category is particularly packed, recognizing international crossovers and innovative pairings that captivated listeners.

Diverse genres span country, hip-hop, and R&B

Country music saw strong representation, with artists like Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, and Luke Combs competing for “Country Artist of the Year.” Their albums and singles continued to dominate the charts, reflecting the genre’s broad appeal. “Love Somebody” by Morgan Wallen and “Good News” by Shaboozey are among the nominated tracks for “Country Music of the Year,” highlighting compelling storytelling and widespread radio play.

In Hip-Hop, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, and GloRilla lead the nominations for “Hip-Hop Artist of the Year,” showcasing their lyrical prowess and cultural influence. Tracks such as Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther” and GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red’s “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” are strong contenders for “Hip-Hop Music of the Year.” The R&B categories recognize the smooth sounds of Chris Brown, SZA, and Kehlani for “R&B Artist of the Year,” alongside breakout talent Leon Thomas for “R&B Music of the Year” with his song “MUTT.”

Alternative, rock, and electronic artists recognized

The alternative music scene continues to thrive, with Green Day’s “One Eyed Bastard” and Twenty One Pilots’ “The Contract” receiving nods for “Alternative Music of the Year.” Artists such as Linkin Park and Sublime are nominated for “Alternative Artist of the Year,” proving their enduring relevance and impact on the genre. The rock categories feature powerful anthems like Evanescence’s “Afterlife” and Linkin Park’s “Heavy Is the Crown” for “Rock Music of the Year.” Linkin Park, Papa Roach, and Shinedown are among the nominees for “Rock Artist of the Year,” a testament to their continued influence and strong fan bases. Meanwhile, the dance music world celebrates titans like Calvin Harris and Tiësto for “Dance Artist of the Year,” with tracks such as Calvin Harris feat. Clementine Douglas’ “Blessings” and Marshmello, Ellie Goulding, and AVAION’s “Save My Love” making waves in the “Dance Music of the Year” category.

Latin music honors urban and regional talent

Latin music once again demonstrated its global dominance, with Bad Bunny, Karol G, and Shakira leading the charge for “Urban/Latin Artist of the Year.” These artists have consistently broken records and captivated audiences across continents. “DtMF” by Bad Bunny and “Soltera” by Shakira are among the standout nominations for “Urban/Latin Music of the Year,” showcasing vibrant rhythms and compelling narratives that resonate globally.

Fan-voted categories introduce unique awards

New fan-voted categories bring an exciting dimension to the awards, highlighting various aspects of pop culture influenced by music. “Best Broadway Debut” recognizes artists making their mark on the stage.

Among the notable nominees for “Best Broadway Debut” are:
– Ashley Graham for “Chicago”
– Meg Donnelly for “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”
– Tom Felton for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”
– Ne-Yo for “Hell’s Kitchen”

“Best TikTok Dance” acknowledges viral choreography, featuring popular trends like BLACKPINK’s “JUMP” and JENNIE’s “like JENNIE.” The category for “Best Debut Album” includes offerings from JENNIE with “Ruby” and Alex Warren with “You’ll Be Alright, Kid,” celebrating impactful first releases. “Best Lyrics” honors the lyrical craftsmanship behind songs like Bad Bunny’s “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” and Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia.”

Behind-the-scenes talent honored in new categories

The awards also shed light on the unsung heroes of the music industry. “Best Music Video” spotlights visual artistry, with nominations including LISA feat. Doja Cat & RAYE’s “BORN AGAIN” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild.” “Fan Favorite on Screen” recognizes artists who have made memorable appearances in film or television, featuring Bad Bunny in “Happy Gilmore 2” and Lady Gaga in “Wednesday.”

Furthermore, “Best Tour Photographer” acknowledges the visual storytellers behind successful concert tours, with nominees like Abby Waisler for Gracie Abrams and Chris Cornejo for Shakira. The “Best Tour Style” category celebrates the fashion and aesthetic of live performances, including Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter Tour” and Taylor Swift’s “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour.” The “Best Soundtrack” category honors the musical scores that enhance visual narratives, with “Wicked: For Good The Soundtrack” and “Guerreiras do K-pop” among the recognized works.