The 2026 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards marked its 30th anniversary in grand style at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, celebrating Black music, culture, and innovation across the globe. This year, Nigerian talents once again stole the spotlight, with Afrobeats sensations Wizkid and Ayra Starr dominating major categories, while creators, producers, and industry heavyweights further cemented Nigeria’s influence on the international stage. From stunning performances to historic wins, the awards showcased how African artists are not just participants but trendsetters in the global music scene. Scroll down for the full winners and nominees list from the 2026 MOBO Awards.
The 2026 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, and Nigerian artistes dominated the night. From Wizkid and Ayra Starr to producers and digital creators, the event highlighted the global influence of African music.
Key Highlights
• Ayra Starr: Best International Act (2nd year in a row)
• Wizkid: Best African Music Act
• Niko Omilana: Best Media Personality
• P2J: Best Producer
• Legendary recognitions: Pharrell Williams (Global Songwriter Award) and Slick Rick(Lifetime Achievement Award)
Full Winners & Nominees
Best Male Act (in association with Prostate Cancer UK)
• Winner: Central Cee
• Nominees: Elmiene, JIM LEGXACY, Nemzzz, Odeal, Skepta
Best Female Act (in association with Got2b)
• Winner: FLO
• Nominees: Kwn, Little Simz, OLIVIA DEAN, PinkPantheress, Sasha Keable
Album of the Year (in association with Amazon Music)
• Winner: Central Cee – Can’t Rush Greatness
• Nominees: 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 (in association with 1664 Bière)
• Winner: OLIVIA DEAN – Man I Need
• Nominees: 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, PinkPantheress – Illegal, Raye – Where Is My Husband!
Best Newcomer
• Winner: DC3
• Nominees: EsDeeKid, Finessekid, Jim Legxacy, Kwn, Namesbliss, Nia Smith, Sekou, Skye Newman, YT
Video of the Year (in association with Vevo)
• Winner: RAYE – Where Is My Husband! (Directed by The Reids)
• Nominees: Pozer – Shanghigh Noon, FKA Twigs – Eusexua, Jim Legxacy – Father, Little Simz – Flood, Skepta & Fred Again – Back 2 Back
Best African Music Act
• Winner: WIZKID
• Nominees: Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr, Davido, Joshua Baraka, Moliy, Rema, Shallipopi, Tiwa Savage, Tyla
Best International Act
• Winner: AYRA STARR
• Nominees: Cardi B, Clipse, Gunna, Kehlani, Leon Thomas, Mariah The Scientist, Moliy, Tyla, Vybz Kartel
Best R&B/Soul Act (in association with Huda Beauty)
• Winner: FLO
• Nominees: Elmiene, Kwn, Odeal, Olivia Dean, Sasha Keable
Best Hip-Hop Act
• Winner: CENTRAL CEE
• Nominees: Aitch, Asco, Catch, D-Block Europe, Kojey Radical, Little Simz, Loyle Carner, Wretch 32, Youngs Teflon
Best Drill Act
• Winner: 36
• Nominees: Booter Bee, Chy Cartier, EsDeeKid, K-Trap, Leostaytrill, Nemzzz, Pozer, TWIN S, Wohdee
Best Grime Act (supported by Trench)
• Winner: CHIP
• Nominees: Jayahadadream, Kasst 8, Ruff Sqwad, Scorcher, Wiley
Best Alternative Music Act
• Winner: Blood Orange
• Nominees: Alt Blk Era, Hak Baker, Michael Kiwanuka, NOVA TWINS, Rachel Chinouriri
Best Caribbean Music Act
• Winner: VYBZ KARTEL
• Nominees: Ayetian, Lila Iké, Masicka, Shenseea, Yung Bredda
Best Jazz Act
• Winner: EZRA COLLECTIVE
• Nominees: Cktrl, Ego Ella May, Kokoroko, Nubya Garcia, Yazmin Lacey
Best Electronic/Dance Act (supported by Bema & Mixmag)
• Winner: FKA Twigs
• Nominees: Jazzy, Kilimanjaro, PinkPantheress, Salute, SHERELLE
Best Gospel Act (supported by Premier Gospel)
• Winner: Annatoria
• Nominees: DC3, Faith Child, Imrhan, Sondae, Still Shadey
Best Producer
• Winner: P2J
• Nominees: Inflo, Jae5, Miles Clinton James, Sammy Soso, Zach Nahome
Best Media Personality
• Winner: NIKO OMILANA
• Nominees: Bemi Orojuogun (Bus Aunty), DJ AG, In My Opinion, Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe, Nadia Jae, PK Humble, Remi Burgz, Uche Natori, Winners Talking
Best Performance in a TV Show/Film
• Winner: STEPHEN GRAHAM – Adolescence
• Nominees: Aaron Pierre (Mufasa), Ashley Thomas (Hostage), Ashley Walters (Adolescence), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Damson Idris (F1), Dayo Koleosho (Eastenders), Lennie James (Mr Loverman), Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)
Special Honours
• MOBO Global Songwriter Award: PHARRELL WILLIAMS
• MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award: SLICK RICK
