The MOBO Awards has announced the nominees across 20 categories for its 2026 ceremony.
Leading this year’s nominations are Little Simz, Olivia Dean and rising stars Kwn and Jim Legxacy, each earning four nominations. Central Cee, FLO, PinkPantheress and Skepta each score three nominations.
For the first time in its history, the celebration of Black music culture will take place in Manchester, as part of the MOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary celebrations. The 2026 Awards will be held on Thursday, March 26 at Co-op Live – tickets are now on sale.
Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of MOBO Group, 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.”
This year’s nominees are a powerful reflection of the culture and moment we are living in
Kanya King
This year’s Best Newcomer nominees spotlight a new generation, including EsDeeKid, Jim Legxacy, Finessekid, YT, Skye Newman, DC3, Nia Smith, Namebliss and Sekou.
While rooted in music, the MOBO Awards also recognise outstanding cultural contributions across film and television.
Ayra Starr, Tyla and Moliy each receive two nominations across Best African Music Act and Best International Act, reflecting the continued global rise of a new generation of African female stars. Meanwhile, 2025 MOBO Impact Award recipient Vybz Kartel is also recognised with nominations for Best Caribbean Music Act and Best International Act.
Meanwhile, MOBO’s Best Media Personality category spotlights influential voices in today’s media landscape. This year’s nominees include DJ AG, known for his viral DJ sets outside King’s Cross Station featuring surprise appearances from artists including Skepta and Ciara.
The 2026 edition recognises talent and releases from September 1, 2024 to October 1, 2025. Select MOBO Awards categories are open to fan voting.
New partners for 2026 include Amazon Music (Album Of The Year sponsor) and Vevo (Video Of The Year sponsor). They join previously announced returning partners Prostate Cancer UK and got2b.
Ahead of the ceremony, MOBO is also collaborating with Manchester City Council to deliver the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long celebration of music, culture and creativity in the lead-up to the awards. The free programme will feature industry panels, talent showcases, live performances and creative workshops spanning music, tech, and the arts.
2026 MOBO AWARDS NOMINEES
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 ONES 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 LIGHTHELM)
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 - ADOLESENCE
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
