Since their launch at London’s Connaught Rooms in 1996, the MOBO Awards have returned annually to celebrate the best music of black origin. The inaugural year saw the MOBO Awards become the first awards show dedicated to celebrating the achievements of black artists, with winners including Goldie and Gabrielle.
This year, the MOBO Awards are due to take place in Manchester for the first time, bringing a star-studded ceremony to Co-Op Live on 26 March. While hosts, performers and honourees are due to be announced in the coming weeks, this year’s nominees have been announced, and the 2026 instalment of the awards are certain to champion the best black talent once again.
The most nominated artists at the 2026 MOBO Awards are Little Simz, Olivia Dean, kwn, and Jim Legxacy, who have all racked up four each. All four artists also had an excellent 2025, with three-time winner Little Simz releasing her groundbreaking album Lotus, Olivia Dean embarking on a chart-storming run with The Art of Loving, kwn revealing her sultry debut mixtape with all due respect, and Jim Legxacy extending his already impressive discography with black british music.
It isn’t solely music that will be celebrating at this year’s awards, however, as categories include Best Performance in a TV Show or Film, as well as Best Media Personality. Other highlights from amongst the nominations include Loyle Carner, who recently took over O2 Victoria Warehouse for a three-date residency in support of his fourth album hopefully !, as well as hometown heroes Nemzzz and Aitch. For a full list of nominees, look no further than below:
Best Male Act: Central Cee, Elmiene, Jim Legxacy, Nemzzz, Odeal, Skepta
Best Female Act: FLO, kwn, Little Simz, Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress, Sasha Keable
Album of the Year: 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 & Jorja Smith - 'Crush', Donae'o, 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: Pozer - 'Shanghigh Noon' directed by Bas Haselager, FKA twigs - 'Eusexua' directed by Jordan Hemmingway, Jim Legxacy - 'father' directed by Lauzza, Little Simz - 'Flood' directed by Salomon Ligthelm , RAYE - 'WHERE IS MY HUSBAND?' directed by The Reids, Skepta & Fred again.. - 'Back 2 Back' directed by Domamanic
Best R&B/Soul Act: Elmiene, Flo, kwn, Odeal, Olivia Dean, Sasha Keable
Best Alternative Act: ALT BLACK ERA, Blood Orange, Hak Baker, Michael Kiwanuka, Nova Twins, Rachel Chinouriri
Best Grime Act: 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-Aposoe (Melissa's Wardrobe), Nadia Jae, Niko Omilana, PK Humble, Remi Burgz, Uche Natori, Winners Talking
Best Performance in a TV Show/Film: Aaron Pierre in Mufasa: The Lion King, Ashley Thomas in Hostage, Ashley Walters in Adolescence, Cynthia Erivo in Wicked, Damson Idris in F1: The Movie, Dayo Koleosho in EastEnders, Lennie James in Mr. Loverman, Marianne Jean-Baptiste in Hard Truths, Stephen Graham in Adolescence, Wummi Mosaku in Sinners
Best African Music Act: Adekunle Gold (Nigeria), Ayra Starr (Nigeria), Davido (Nigeria), Joshua Baraka (Ugandu), 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: FKA twigs, Jazzy, Kilimanjaro, PinkPantheress, salute, Sherelle
Best Gospel Act: Annatoria, DC3, Faith Child, Imrhan, Sondae, Still Shadey
Best Producer: Inflo, JAE5, Miles Clinton James, P2J, Sammy SoSo, Zach Nahome
Comments
Powered by DisqusComments are provided by Disqus.