Little Simz, already a three-time winner, earns her latest nominations in the best female, best hip-hop act and video of the year categories.
Olivia Dean’s other nominations include best female, best soul act and song of the year, for Man I Need.
Hotly-tipped rapper Jim Legxacy, who came second in the BBC’s Sound of 2026, is also nominated for four prizes.
Among them is video of the year for Father, which transports the Londoner back to his school days; and song of the year for 3x, a powerful collaboration with rap star Dave.
Up and coming R&B singer KWN is also marked out as one to watch, with nominations for best newcomer, best female act, best soul act and song of the Year for the sensual ballad, Do What I Say.
“I’m glad to to get some love from from the UK,” she told the BBC. “It feels good, man.”
The 25-year-old, whose real name is Khyra Leah Wilson, had a breakout year in 2025, scoring a viral hit with the sex-forward Kehlani duet Worst Behaviour – just months after being dropped by her record label.
“It kind of felt like people were doubting my ability to be who I wanted to be in this industry,” she said, “but I was never going to give up, or let it push me too far into the ground.”