Manchester’s Co-op Live will host this year’s MOBO Awards, taking place in just a matter of weeks, and the full list of nominees has now been revealed by bosses
The MOBO Awards’ full list of nominees has finally been revealed. Marking three decades of the MOBO organisation, the ceremony will this year head to Manchester’s Co-op Live – the largest concert venue in Europe, with a total of 23,500 seats.
Today, bosses have announced the nominees across all 20 categories, which will honour talent and new releases dating from September 1, 2024, to October 1, 2025. And as it celebrates its historic anniversary, the event will be held in Manchester for the first time on Thursday, March 26.
This year, the likes of Cardi B, Central Cee, EsDeeKid, Cynthia Erivo, Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Skepta, Little Simz and Olivia Dean are all being recognised for their contributions to the arts. Speaking about this year’s awards ceremony, MOBO Group founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE, said: “As MOBO enters its 30th year, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary breadth of talent we have championed over the past three decades. Time and again, artists have taken the recognition of a MOBO Award and transformed it into fuel for lasting success.
“This year’s nominees are a powerful reflection of the culture and moment we are living in. Their voices matter — not only in how they soundtrack our lives, but in how they shape the future. From sharp, socially conscious lyricism to boundary-pushing creativity that defies genre, this generation of artists is deeply connected to their communities.
“The 2026 nominations represent one of the strongest and most diverse showcases of Black British music excellence we’ve seen in years. Spanning R&B, dance-electronic, and experimental rap, what unites these artists is the power of their storytelling, their confidence and cultural impact. Congratulations to all our nominees — we can’t wait to celebrate with you in Manchester.”
The MOBO Awards are a celebration of the most thrilling talent in music of Black origin today, with categories such as Best Alternative Music Act, Best Grime Act supported by TRENCH, Best Drill Act, Best African Music Act, Best Caribbean Music Act, Best Jazz Act, Best Electronic/Dance Act supported by BEMA & Mixmag, Best Gospel Act supported by Premier Gospel, and Best Producer.
This year, they’re joined by partners Amazon Music, who are sponsoring Album of the Year, as well as Vevo, who are sponsoring Video of the Year. They join the previously announced returning partners, Prostate Cancer UK and got2b. Prostate Cancer UK continues its crucial role as the Official Men’s Health Charity Partner and sponsor of the Best Male Act category, raising vital awareness of the increased risk of prostate cancer among Black men and campaigning to address health inequalities across the UK.
Meanwhile, got2b is back as the Official Hairstyling Partner and sponsor of the Best Female Act category, championing individuality, self-expression and creativity on one of the biggest nights in music and culture. Tickets for this year’s MOBO Awards are available on their website. See below for the nominations list in full.
Best Male Act In Association With Prostate Cancer UK
- Central Cee
- Elmiene
- Jim Legxacy
- Nemzzz
- Odeal
- Skepta
Best Female Act In Association With Got2b
- Flo
- Kwn
- Little Simz
- Olivia Dean
- Pinkpantheress
- Sasha Keable
Album Of The Year In Association With Amazon Music
- Central Cee – Can’t Rush Greatness
- Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching
- Flo – Access All Areas
- Kojey Radical – Don’t Look Down
- Little Simz – Lotus
- Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
Song Of The Year
- Aj Tracey Feat. Jorja Smith – ‘crush’
- Donae’o Feat. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir – ‘Nights Like This’
- Fred Again, Skepta & Plaqueboymax – ‘Victory Lap’
- Jim Legxacy & Dave – ‘3x’
- Kwn – ‘Do What I Say’
- Myles Smith – ‘Nice to Meet You’
- Olivia Dean – ‘Man I Need’
- Pinkpantheress – ‘Illegal’
- Raye – ‘Where Is My Husband!’
- Tim Duzit – ‘Kat Slater’
Best Newcomer
- Dc3
- Esdeekid
- Finessekid
- Jim Legxacy
- Kwn
- Namesbliss
- Nia Smith
- Sekou
- Skye Newman
- Yt
Video Of The Year In Association With Vevo
- Pozer – ‘Shanghigh Noon’ (Directed By Bas Haselager)
- Fka Twigs – ‘Eusexua’ (Directed By Jordan Hemingway)
- Jim Legxacy – ‘Father’ (Directed By Lauzza)
- Little Simz – ‘Flood’ Feat. Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly (Directed By Salomon Ligthelm)
- Raye – ‘Where Is My Husband!’ (Directed By The Reids)
- Skepta & Fred Again – ‘Back 2 Back’ (Directed By Domamanic And Skepta)
Best R&B/Soul Act
- Elmiene
- Flo
- Kwn
- Odeal
- Olivia Dean
- Sasha Keable
Best Alternative Music Act
- Alt Blk Era
- Blood Orange
- Hak Baker
- Michael Kiwanuka
- Nova Twins
- Rachel Chinouriri
Best Grime Act Supported By Trench
- Chip
- Jayahadadream
- Kasst 8
- Ruff Sqwad
- Scorcher
- Wiley
Best Hip Hop Act
- Aitch
- Asco
- Catch
- Central Cee
- D-block Europe
- Kojey Radical
- Little Simz
- Loyle Carner
- Wretch 32
- Youngs Teflon
Best Drill Act
- 36
- Booter Bee
- Chy Cartier
- Esdeekid
- K-trap
- Leostaytrill
- Nemzzz
- Pozer
- Twin S
- Wohdee
Best International Act
- Ayra Starr
- Cardi B
- Clipse
- Gunna
- Kehlani
- Leon Thomas
- Mariah The Scientist
- Moliy
- Tyla
- Vybz Kartel
Best Media Personality
- Bemi Orojuogun (Bus Aunty)
- DJ Ag
- In My Opinion
- Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe (Melissa’s Wardrobe)
- Nadia Jae
- Niko Omilana
- Pk Humble
- Remi Burgz
- Uche Natori
- Winners Talking
Best Performance In A TV Show/Film
- Aaron Pierre – Mufasa: The Lion King
- Ashley Thomas – Hostage
- Ashley Walters – Adolescence
- Cynthia Erivo – Wicked
- Damson Idris – F1
- Dayo Koleosho – Eastenders
- Lennie James – Mr Loverman
- Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths
- Stephen Graham – Adolescence
- Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Best African Music Act
- Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
- Moliy (Ghana)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Shallipopi (Nigeria)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
- Tyla (South Africa)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Caribbean Music Act
- Ayetian
- Lila Iké
- Masicka
- Shenseea
- Vybz Kartel
- Yung Bredda
- Best Jazz Act
- Cktrl
- Ego Ella May
- Ezra Collective
- Kokoroko
- Nubya Garcia
- Yazmin Lacey
Best Electronic/Dance Act Supported By Bema & Mixmag
- Fka Twigs
- Jazzy
- Kilimanjaro
- Pinkpantheress
- Salute
- Sherelle
Best Gospel Act Supported By Premier Gospel
- Annatoria
- Dc3
- Faith Child
- Imrhan
- Sondae
- Still Shadey
- Best Producer
- Inflo
- Jae5
- Miles Clinton James
- P2j
- Sammy Soso
- Zach Nahome
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply