Ghanaian pop star MOLIY has been crowned World Artist of the Year at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, delivering a standout moment for Ghanaian music on the global stage.
She received the award on Thursday, March 26, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, beating stiff competition from a strong international field that included Ayra Starr of Nigeria, Tyla of South Africa, Jackson Wang of Hong Kong, and JO1 of Japan.
MOLIY stood out as the most-nominated African artiste at this year’s awards, earning three nominations in total: World Artist of the Year, Best New Artist (Hip-Hop), and Best Music Video for her hit “Shake It to the Max (FLY) (Remix)” featuring Shenseea, Skillibeng, and Silent Addy.
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With this victory, MOLIY has become the first Ghanaian artiste to win an iHeartRadio Music Award. The win also breaks the Nigerian and South African hold on the World Artist of the Year category, which had been dominated by artistes from those countries from 2023 to 2025.
Known for fusing Ghanaian influences with contemporary pop sensibilities, MOLIY has attracted growing international attention in recent years. Her pop sound has built a dedicated global fanbase, and this award further cements her rising status in the industry.
MOLIY’s new win highlights the increasing visibility of Ghanaian and broader African talent on major global platforms.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards honours artistes across multiple genres, with winners determined primarily through fan voting combined with overall industry impact.