Tag: Mobo Awards

MOBO Awards 2026 Winners List as Wizkid Becomes the Most Awarded African Artist

Posted on by Stephen Ibrahim

The MOBO Awards 2026 took place on March 26, 2026, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, marking a 30th anniversary for one of the most influential celebrations of Black music and culture.

The night was dominated by Olivia Dean, who emerged as the biggest winner, securing three of the most important awards (Best Female Act, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year). 

Alongside the night’s biggest wins, Wizkid reached a historic milestone, becoming the most awarded African artist in MOBO Awards history with seven wins, following his victory in the Best African Music Act category.

Other major winners included Central Cee, RAYE, and FLO, highlighting a strong showing for UK talent across multiple categories. 

See Full Winners and Nominees List

Major Categories – Nominees & Winners

Best Male Act

Central Cee
Dave
Fireboy DML
Headie One
Jim Legxacy (Winner)

Best Female Act

Ayra Starr
FLO
Jorja Smith
Justine Skye
Olivia Dean (Winner)

Album of the Year

Back to the World – Dave
CLB – Central Cee
Frames – FLO
The Art of Loving – Olivia Dean (Winner)
Voyager – Wizkid

Song of the Year

Baby Steps – Ayra Starr
Come Closer – Wizkid ft. Drake
Energy – FLO
Man I Need – Olivia Dean (Winner)
Sunset – Fireboy DML

Best Newcomer

Aylø
Ayra Starr
BackRoad Gee
DC3
Maceo
DC3 (Winner)

Video of the Year

Ain’t Safe – Ayra Starr
Come Closer – Wizkid ft. Drake
Energy – FLO
Man I Need – Olivia Dean
Where Is My Husband! – RAYE (Winner)

Genre Categories – Nominees & Winners

Best Hip‑Hop Act

Central Cee (Winner)
Dave
Headie One
Knucks
Unknown T

Best R&B / Soul Act

Ayra Starr
FLO (Winner)
Jorja Smith
Tems
Victoria Monét

Best Jazz Act

Alfa Mist
Ezra Collective (Winner)
Nubya Garcia
Sons of Kemet
Theon Cross

Best Gospel Act

DC3 ((Winner)
Guvna B
Joel Amadi
Limoblaze
Preye Odede

Best Alternative Music Act

Black Midi
EVERGIB
Georgia
Nova Twins (Winner)
Smerz

Best Grime Act

AJ Tracey
Chip (Winner)
Frisco
Wiley
Yungen

Best Drill Act

Headie One
Kay Flock
M1llionz
Unknown T
Twin S (Winner) 

Best Electronic Act

Bicep
Fred Again..
Jamie xx
Peggy Gou
Sherelle (Winner) 

Regional & International Categories – Nominees & Winners

Best International Act

Cardi B
Gunna
Kehlani
Lizzo
Ayra Starr (Winner)

Best African Music Act

Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Davido
Rema
Wizkid (Winner)

Best Caribbean Music Act

Beenie Man
Buju Banton
Shenseea
Spice
Vybz Kartel (Winner)

Media & Performance Categories – Nominees & Winners

Best Media Personality

Big Zuu
Charlamagne Tha God
Niko Omilana (Winner)
Sidemen
Tiffany Calver

Best Performance in a TV Show / Film

Damson Idris
Lashana Lynch
Letitia Wright
Tosin Cole
Stephen Graham (Winner)

Technical & Honour Categories – Nominees & Winners

Best Producer

P2J (Winner)
Sarz
Teniola Apata
Jimmy Napes
Don Jazzy

MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award- Slick Rick

MOBO Global Songwriter Award- Pharrell Williams

Rema, Wizkid, Davido Lead Nigerian Charge as 2026 MOBO Awards Nominees Are Unveiled

Posted on by Stephen Ibrahim

The 2026 MOBO Awards nomination list has officially been revealed, spotlighting the biggest names across Black music and culture  and African artists, particularly Nigerians, are once again at the center of global recognition.

Among the headline moments is Rema’s nomination for Best African Music Act, placing the Afrobeats star alongside heavyweights like Wizkid, Davido, Ayra Starr, and Tiwa Savage in one of the ceremony’s most competitive categories.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to hold later this year in Manchester, United Kingdom, continuing MOBO’s tradition of celebrating music of Black origin across the UK, Africa, the Caribbean, and the global diaspora.

Nigeria dominates the Best African Music Act nominations, reinforcing the country’s sustained influence on the global Afrobeats movement.

Best African Music Act – Nominees

  • 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)

Major Categories: Full List of Nominees

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 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

  • DC3Es
  • DeeKid
  • Finessekid
  • Jim Legxacy
  • kwn
  • namesbliss
  • Nia Smith 
  • Sekou
  • Skye Newman
  • YT

International & Diaspora Representation

Best International Act

  • Ayra Starr
  • Cardi B
  • Clipse
  • Gunna
  • Kehlani
  • Leon Thomas
  • Mariah The Scientist
  • Moliy
  • Tyla
  • Vybz Kartel

Best Caribbean Music Act

  • Ayetian
  • Lila Iké
  • Masicka
  • Shenseea
  • Vybz Kartel
  • Yung Bredda

Music Beyond Charts: Performance, Media & Production

The 2026 nominations also recognize excellence beyond music releases, with categories spanning film, television, media personalities, production, and genre-specific innovation.

Notable nominees include Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Stephen Graham, Little Simz, Ezra Collective, and Inflo, highlighting MOBO’s broad cultural scope.

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