MOBO Awards announce nominations for 2026 ceremony

The MOBO Awards has announced its nominees for its upcoming ceremony on Thursday 26th March. The 2026 Awards will take place at Co-op Live in Manchester, as part of the MOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Little Simz, Olivia Dean, kwn, and Jim Legxacy lead the nominations with four each, with Central Cee, FLO, PinkPantheress and Skepta earning three nominations apiece. 

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The awards have taken its celebrations to various cities across the UK since 2009, with previous editions being held in London, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield, Newcastle, and Coventry. This year’s ceremony sees MOBO collaborating with Manchester City Council to deliver the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long series of live performances, creative workshops, industry panels, and talent showcases spotlighting local talent and creating opportunities for future stars. The previous edition of MOBO Fringe in Newcastle delivered over £1 million in economic and social impact for the North East region. 

“As MOBO enters its 30th year, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary breadth of talent we have championed over the past three decades.” MOBO Group’s founder and CEO Kanya King said, “Congratulations to all our nominees — we can’t wait to celebrate with you in Manchester.”

2026 MOBO Awards nominees:

 

BEST MALE ACT IN ASSOCIATION WITH PROSTATE CANCER UK

Central Cee

Elmiene

Jim Legxacy

Nemzz

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 ft. Jorja Smith - 'Crush'

Donae'o ft. 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

Finesskid

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' ft. Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly (Directed by Salomon Lightelm)

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

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 (Melissas Wardrobe)

Nadia Jae

Niko Omilana

Pk Humble

Remi Burgz

Uche Natori

Winners Talking

 

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV & 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 - Adolesence

Wunmi Mosaku - Sinners

 

BEST AFRICAN MUSIC ACT

Adekunle Gold

Ayra Starr

Davido

Joshua Baraka

Moliy

Rema

Shallipopi

Tiwa Savage

Tyla

Wizkid

 

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 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

 

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