Name: Universal Music Awards (UMA’s)
Industry: Music, Entertainment
Type: Awards Ceremony
Location: Beverly Hills, California
Country: United States
Debut: 2024

The Universal Music Awards (stylized as UMA’s), are awards presented by the Worldwide Recording Academy to recognize outstanding achievements in the music industry. Created and announced in early 2024, it was confirmed that the very first ever televised UMA’s would take place in March 2024 which would cover the 2023 music industry season and confirmation that an annual show would be produced each year highlighting the achievements of the previous year’s music artists and their releases. It was confirmed that the show will not only showcase the artists and their awards but also include live performances throughout in a similar vein to many other music awards shows throughout history. From the official press release, it was confirmed that the show will take place annually from Beverly Hills, California. In its first inception it was announced that eleven award categories would be included within the show with future incarnations of the show open to the possibility of additional awards being presented if demand is met. It was later announced that host and comedian 'Colby Mayfield' would be the first ever host of the ceremony along with the confirmation that the first ever incarnation of the Universal Music Awards would take place on March 9, 2024.

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AWARDS;

Artist of the Year
[2024] Jadyn Ghalen / Kara Romero / Layla
[2025] Layla
[2026] Ryan Ross Hernandez / Jadyn Ghalen

New Artist of the Year
[2024] Cerys Nyland / Thickmouse
[2025] Jack Dunn
[2026] Danse

Collaboration of the Year
[2024] Aubrey Cassidy - "Peep Show" (feat. Jerry Holmes)
[2025] Kara Romero x Younghood - "Love Dealer"
[2026] Alicia Lena - "Beacon of Hope" (feat. Ryan Ross Hernandez, Jadyn Ghalen, Layla)

Favourite Touring Artist
[2024] Kara Romero - "The Post-Traumatic Tour"
[2025] Sigrún - European Tour 2024
[2026] Jadyn Ghalen - "No Pressure, No Diamonds" World Tour [2025]

Male Artist of the Year
[2024] Billy
[2025] Jack Dunn
[2026] Ryan Ross Hernandez / Jack Dunn

Female Artist of the Year
[2024] Layla
[2025] Alicia Lena
[2026] Mercedes

Band/Duo/Group of the Year
[2024] Voodoo Dolls
[2025] Orion
[2026] Weekend

Album of the Year
[2024] Kara Romero - "Post-Traumatic" / Sigrún - "We Were Born in Our Homes and We'll Die Here"
[2025] Ryan Ross Hernandez - "Late Fragment"
[2026] Layla - "The Human Experience"

E.P/Mixtape of the Year
[2024] Jadyn Ghalen - "Mentality Monster"
[2025] N/A
[2026] Kara Romero x Younghood - "The Bedroom Sessions" [E.P]

Song of the Year
[2024] Billy - "The Entertainer" / Thickmouse - "Thicc Girl"
[2025] Billy - "Model Citizen" (feat. Kara Romero & Kidd Amaze)
[2026] Ryan Ross Hernandez - "What I Would've Missed"

Best Record Label
[2024] Head South Records
[2025] Head South Records
[2026] Five Pesky Kids

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LIVE PERFORMERS;

[2024] Cerys Nyland (w. Lydia Santangelo, Amy Meyer, Sigrún, Voodoo Dolls)
[2024] Fatima Amari
[2024] Malik Jarvez
[2024] Orion
[2024] Slim Money
[2024] Tisha Jackson

[2025] Voodoo Dolls
[2025] Hana Rahman
[2025] Mother of Tigers (w. Erich Hess)
[2025] Tika Mays
[2025] Midnight20
[2025] Claire Price
[2025] Alicia Lena (w. Ryan Ross Hernandez, Jadyn Ghalen, Layla)
[2025] Layla

[2026] The Jollies
[2026] Face2Face
[2026] Murda Bling
[2026] Mercedes & Riley
[2026] Jack Dunn
[2026] Milian
[2026] Ryan Ross Hernandez

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HOSTS;

[2024] Colby Mayfield
[2025] Colby Mayfield
[2026] Colby Mayfield

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2024 Universal Music Award Performers: Slim Money, Cerys Nyland, Amy Meyer and more announced
The 2024 Universal Music Awards will feature performances from a diverse range of artists throughout the evening which include, Slim Money, Cerys Nyland, Amy Meyer, Malik Jarvez and more as they take to the stage in the very first incarnation of the UMA’s on March 9, 2024.







With the first ever Universal Music Awards ceremony set to take place in under three weeks’ time at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California we’re delighted to announce some of the performers set to hit the stage and showcase their talents in front of the watching audience in the arena as well as those anticipated to tune in worldwide. The list of performers includes some of the hottest names in the music industry right now and current UMA nominees Cerys Nyland, Voodoo Dolls and Sigrún with appearances from Lydia Santangelo and Amy Meyer also confirmed as special guests to hit the stage during the evening.

We’re also delighted to confirm that Malik Jarvez will be performing hot on the heels of his number one single “Sexy Red Heels/Tacones Rojos Sexys” which is sure to get the watching audience in a vibrant mood throughout. Upcoming pop superstar in the making Fatima Amari will also be taking to the stage with the ‘FivePeskyKids’ alum set for an explosive year ahead. We will also have a performance from Latin Pop and Latin Rap superstar Slim Money as he’s set to make his return to the industry in 2024 with a new attitude and new vibe as he plans on dominating the charts in 2024. And finally, closing out the show will be the live return to the stage of rap and hip-hop trio ‘Orion’ as they step up the hype train ahead of their 2024 return, on the back of their return single “All Accelerator, No Brakes” and with a new studio album set to be released later in the year, it’s likely to be a taster of what’s to come from the trio.

With the announcement of this years performers concluded, we look ahead to the first ever Universal Music Awards taking place on March 9, 2024 from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. It’s likely to be a show full of surprises, with one more final announcement to come before the big day, so stay tuned!

2025 Universal Music Award Performers: Voodoo Dolls, Tika Mays, Alicia Lena, Layla and more announced
The 2025 Universal Music Awards will feature performances from a wide range of artists throughout the evening, showcasing the very best of what the music industry has to offer in 2025 which include performances from Voodoo Dolls, Tika Mays, Alicia Lena, Layla and more as they take to the stage in the second ever UMA’s in February 2025.


(left to right - Voodoo Dolls, Hana Rahman)


(left to right - Mother of Tigers)


(left to right - Tika Mays, Midnight20, Claire Price)


(left to right - Alicia Lena, Layla)

Last year brought the first ever Universal Music Awards which saw performances from Cerys Nyland, Slim Money, Orion, Tisha Jackson and many more delivering performances befitting the prestige of the music industry’s primary award show. Now with the path towards the second incarnation of the Universal Music Awards ceremony on the horizon set to take place in February 2025 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California for the second year running we’re delighted to announce some of the performers set to hit the stage and showcase their talents in front of the watching audience in the arena as well as those anticipated to tune in worldwide. The list of performers includes some of the hottest names in the music industry right now Voodoo Dolls, Hana Rahman and Midnight20 as well as special guests set to hit the stage during some of these performances throughout the evening.

We’re also delighted to confirm that Mother of Tigers will be following up an incredibly impressive debutante year with a very special performance, rumoured to be involving a special guest you won’t want to miss. Claire Price will be taking to the stage after a hugely successful debut year in 2024 which saw the released of her number one single ‘Flavors’, will the upcoming RnB superstar be performing her giant hit or possibly be debuting some new music, be sure to tune in to find out. Tika Mays will be making her return to the stage for the evening as she begins what is sure to be a busy 2025 and hot on the heels of a busy and successful 2024 will be a performance from industry icon Alicia Lena. Finally, rounding out the list of performers is the name on everybody’s lips right now as Layla brings her ‘Human Experience’ to the stage as she’s confirmed as the final performer for the second incarnation of the Universal Music Awards in a show that is an absolute cannot miss.

With the announcement of this years performers concluded, we look ahead to the second ever Universal Music Awards, taking place in February 2025 from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. We have no doubt that it’s likely to be a show full of surprises throughout the event with the nominees and official voting beginning next week. So stay tuned!

2026 Universal Music Award Performers: The Jollies, Mercedes, Jack Dunn, Ryan Ross Hernandez and more announced
The Universal Music Awards are set to return in 2026, and we’re thrilled to officially announce the list of star-studded performers who will be taking to the stage for what promises to be another unforgettable evening on the annual music calendar.


(from left to right - The Jollies, Face2Face, Murda Bling)


(from left to right - Mercedes, Riley, Jack Dunn, Milian)


(center - Ryan Ross Hernandez)

The 2026 Universal Music Awards are back for the third consecutive year and as ever will feature performances from an exciting array of artists, showcasing the very best of what the global music industry has to offer. Audiences can look forward to standout performances from Jack Dunn, Face2Face, Murda Bling, Milian, The Jollies, Mercedes & Riley and Ryan Ross Hernandez, with each bringing their own unique sound and energy to the UMA stage. Adding their names to the ever-growing prestigious line-up of previous performers.

Following the success and momentum of previous ceremonies, the 2026 edition will continue the tradition of blending established names with upcoming artists who are shaping the future of music. From chart-topping hits to genre-defining performances that get people talking for weeks following the live event, the honor of performing at the annual awards show is one that grows in stature with each passing year. This year’s performers represent a wide variety of styles and influences that reflect the evolving landscape of the music industry. Bringing to the stage some of the biggest hits from the past twelve months as well as some of the biggest hits of the past decade plus.
With the announcement of this years host and performers concluded, we look ahead to the third incarnation of the Universal Music Awards, taking place on Sunday, February 8, 2026 from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California for the third consecutive year. We have no doubt that it’s likely to be a show full of surprises throughout the event, so make sure to clear your schedule on February 8 and stay tuned!