Tag: Artists

The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards have officially announced their nominees, spotlighting the artists and songs that dominated radio airplay, streaming platforms, and fan culture throughout 2025. The awards ceremony is scheduled to hold on March 26, 2026, live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, airing on FOX and iHeartRadio platforms.

This year’s nominations cut across pop, hip-hop, R&B, country, rock, Latin, K-pop, and global music, reflecting the industry’s growing diversity and the power of radio-driven hits. Several chart-topping artists return as multiple nominees, while newer acts secure major career-defining nods.

Below is the full list of nominees for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Major Categories

Song of the Year

• “Anxiety” — Doechii
• “Good News” — Shaboozey
• “Love Somebody” — Morgan Wallen
• “luther” — Kendrick Lamar & 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, Group & Collaboration Categories

Pop Artist of the Year

• Alex Warren
• Benson Boone
• Sabrina Carpenter
• Tate McRae
• Taylor Swift

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 & SZA
• “Timeless” — The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti
• “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” — GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red

Genre Categories

Hip-Hop Artist of the Year

• Cardi B
• GloRilla
• Kendrick Lamar
• Playboi Carti
• Tyler, The Creator

Hip-Hop Song of the Year

• “luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
• “NOKIA” — Drake
• “Outside” — Cardi B
• “The Largest” — BigXthaPlug
• “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” — GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red

R&B Artist of the Year

• Chris Brown
• Kehlani
• Leon Thomas
• Mariah the Scientist
• SZA

Country Artist of the Year

• Jason Aldean
• Jelly Roll
• Lainey Wilson
• Luke Combs
• Morgan Wallen

Rock Artist of the Year

• Linkin Park
• Papa Roach
• Shinedown
• Sleep Token
• Three Days Grace

Global & International Categories

World Artist of the Year

• Ayra Starr
• Jackson Wang
• JO1
• MOLIY
• Tyla

Latin Music Categories

Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year

• Bad Bunny
• Feid
• J Balvin
• Karol G
• Shakira

Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year

• “Angel” — Grupo Frontera & Romeo Santos
• “DEGENERE” — Myke Towers & benny blanco
• “DtMF” — Bad Bunny
• “Qué Pasaría…” — Rauw Alejandro & Bad Bunny
• “Soltera” — Shakira

K-Pop Categories

K-Pop Artist of the Year

• JENNIE
• j-hope
• Jin
• LISA
• ROSÉ

K-Pop Group of the Year

• ATEEZ
• BLACKPINK
• ENHYPEN
• Stray Kids
• TWICE

Fan-Voted & Industry Categories

The 2026 edition also includes fan-voted awards such as Best Lyrics, Best Music Video, Favorite TikTok Dance, Favorite On Screen, and Favorite Broadway Debut, alongside industry honors like Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year.

Voting remains open on iHeartRadio platforms ahead of the ceremony.

Hip-hop in the 21st century has been defined not only by artistry but also by commercial dominance, Billboard chart records, streaming power, and cultural influence. To capture this fully, the following; chart performance, longevity, commercial reach, and global impact; while keeping the focus squarely on hip-hop.

1. Drake

Drake stands as the undisputed leader of 21st-century hip-hop. His Billboard chart dominance is unmatched, holding the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries and numerous R&B/Hip-Hop chart milestones. Albums such as Take Care, Views, Scorpion, and Certified Lover Boy broke streaming records and produced anthems that defined entire eras. Beyond the numbers, Drake’s ability to merge rap with R&B and pop melodies reshaped hip-hop into the most accessible genre of modern music. His global tours and collaborations have only reinforced his status as the most commercially successful rapper of this century.

2. Jay-Z  

Jay-Z’s career began before the 21st century, but his influence and dominance extended deeply into it. The Blueprint (2001) and The Black Album (2003) are benchmarks in rap history, while 4:44 proved his relevance well into his late career. His Billboard credentials include 14 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, making him one of the most charted rappers of all time. More than just a musician, Jay-Z set the template for hip-hop as enterprise, showing how artistry, business, and cultural leadership can intersect. His impact resonates through music, fashion, and even sports ownership.

3. Eminem

Eminem remains one of the best-selling rappers ever, with multiple diamond-certified albums. The Eminem Show and Encore dominated the early 2000s, while songs like “Lose Yourself” and “Love the Way You Lie” became cultural fixtures. Billboard numbers back his legacy—he has over 10 No. 1 albums and numerous chart-topping singles. While his commercial dominance slowed in the 2020s, his legacy as a lyrical giant and crossover superstar secures his place in the upper echelon of 21st-century hip-hop.

4. Kanye West  

Kanye West’s legacy is built on both chart success and innovation. The College Dropout (2004) shifted rap’s narrative, while Graduation (2007) marked his global rise. 808s & Heartbreak reshaped rap’s emotional language, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is widely considered a masterpiece. His 10 Billboard 200 No. 1 albums and cultural influence across music, fashion, and art make him an essential 21st-century figure. Despite controversies, his artistic contributions remain undeniable.

5. Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne dominated the mid-to-late 2000s with his relentless mixtape output and the Tha Carter album series. At his peak, Wayne was releasing music that saturated Billboard charts and influenced nearly every rapper who came after him. His role in discovering and mentoring Drake and Nicki Minaj through Young Money cemented his importance in shaping the next generation. With Grammy wins, countless Billboard hits, and unmatched influence on modern rap slang and flows, Wayne’s legacy is undeniable.

6. Kendrick Lamar

 Kendrick Lamar represents the bridge between commercial success and critical acclaim. While he does not match Drake in Billboard chart numbers, his albums (good kid, m.A.A.d city, To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN.) are regarded as cultural landmarks. DAMN. even earned him the Pulitzer Prize, the first for a rapper. His singles such as “HUMBLE.” and “Alright” are both Billboard successes and cultural touchstones. Kendrick’s ability to balance mainstream success with social commentary makes him a unique figure in 21st-century hip-hop.

7. Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj is the most successful female rapper of all time, both commercially and culturally. Her Billboard stats include dozens of Hot 100 entries and multiple No. 1 singles. Beyond numbers, she broke barriers for women in hip-hop, sustaining dominance in a male-dominated space for more than a decade. Her albums (Pink Friday, The Pinkprint, Queen) brought her global fame, and her persona influenced an entire generation of rappers. Nicki’s combination of lyrical skill, mainstream success, and cultural imprint places her firmly in this ranking.

8. Future  

Future reshaped trap music into a dominant sound of the 2010s. His Billboard presence is substantial, with multiple No. 1 albums and Hot 100 hits. Albums like DS2 and HNDRXX defined modern trap, while collaborations with Drake (What a Time to Be Alive) expanded his reach. Future’s influence is clear in the melodic, auto-tuned style adopted by today’s rising rappers. His consistency across mixtapes, albums, and collaborations solidifies him as one of the most important hip-hop voices of this century.

9. J. Cole  

J. Cole embodies the self-sufficient rapper, often producing his own work and rarely relying on guest features. Despite this, he has achieved remarkable Billboard success, with every studio album debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Albums like 2014 Forest Hills Drive and KOD resonate both commercially and critically, making him a rare figure who balances introspection with chart performance. His “platinum with no features” narrative underscores his unique place in hip-hop history.

10. Travis Scott

Travis Scott brought spectacle to modern hip-hop. His Billboard breakthrough came with Astroworld (2018), which included “Sicko Mode,” his first Hot 100 No. 1 single. His live performances, particularly the Astroworld Festival, redefined hip-hop shows as immersive experiences. Scott’s collaborations with Nike and his influence on fashion and youth culture expand his cultural dominance beyond music. While his career is still evolving, his chart presence and cultural influence secure him a spot in this top 10.

This ranking reflects the dual lens of Billboard-inspired metrics; chart performance, longevity, and commercial power, combined with artistry and cultural significance. These 10 artists shaped the 21st-century hip-hop landscape, and their impact continues to define the genre globally.