2026 MOBO Awards winners have been announced

The MOBO Award winners have been announced for 2026, with the awards celebrating black music in the UK and abroad.

It's a shame there can only be one winner for each award but plenty of work has gone into making the music which has been nominated and just getting there is an achievement.

Olivia Dean and Little Simz topped the number of nominations with four apiece for their work, The Art of Loving and Lotus respectively, and it marks 30 years since the awards were founded.

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.

Founder and CEO of MOBO Group Kanya King said the 2026 nominations 'represent one of the strongest and most diverse showcases of Black British music excellence we’ve seen in years' (Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

"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."

And the nominees are...

Olivia Dean has scored several nominations (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

Best male act

WINNER: Jim Legxacy

Central Cee

Elmiene

Nemzzz

Odeal

Skepta

Best female act

WINNER: Olivia Dean

Flo

Kwn

Little Simz

PinkPantheress

Sasha Keable

Little Simz could have a big night in Manchester (John Phillips/Getty Images for BFC)

Album of the year

WINNER: Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving

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

Song of the year

WINNER: Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”

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”

PinkPantheress – “lllegal”

Raye – “Where Is My Husband!”

Tim Duzit – “Kat Slater”

Central Cee is up for a MOBO Award (Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

Best newcomer

WINNER: DC3

EsDeeKid

Finessekid

Jim Legxacy

Kwn

namesbliss

Nia Smith

Sekou

Skye Newman

YT

Video of the year

WINNER: Raye – “Where Is My Husband!“ (Directed by The Reids)

Pozer – “Shanghigh Noon” (Directed by Bas Haselager)

FKA Twigs – “Eusexua“ (Directed by Jordan Hemingway)

Jim Legxacy – “’Father“ (Directed by Lauzza)

Little Simz – “Flood“ (Directed by Salomon Lighthelm)

Skepta & Fred Again – “Back 2 Back“ (Directed by Domamanic and Skepta)

Raye could win for 'Where Is My Husband!' (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFC)

Best R&B/soul act

WINNER: Flo

Elmiene

Kwn

Odeal

Olivia Dean

Sasha Keable

Best alternative music act

WINNER: Nova Twins

Alt Blk Era

Blood Orange

Hak Baker

Michael Kiwanuka

Rachel Chinouriri

Rachel Chinouriri is up for the Best Alternative Music award (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for for iHeartRadio)

Best grime act

WINNER: Chip

Jayahadadream

Kasst 8

Ruff Sqwad

Scorcher

Wiley

Best hip hop act

WINNER: Central Cee

Aitch

Asco

Catch

D-Block Europe

Kojey Radical

Little Simz

Loyle Carner

Wretch 32

Youngs Teflon

Best drill act

WINNER: Twin S

36

Booter Bee

Chy Cartier

Esdeekid

K-Trap

Leostaytrill

Nemzzz

Pozer

Wohdee

Nova Twins Amy Love and Georgia South have been nominated (Katja Ogrin/Redferns)

Best international act

WINNER: Ayra Starr

Cardi B

Clipse

Gunna

Kehlani

Leon Thomas

Mariah The Scientist

Moliy

Tyla

Vybz Kartel

Best media personality

WINNER: Niko Omilana

Bemi Orojuogun (Bus Aunty)

DJ AG

In My Opinion

Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe (Melissa’s Wardrobe)

Nadia Jae

PK Humble

Remi Burgz

Uche Natori

Winners Talking

Best performance in a TV show/film

WINNER: Stephen Graham – Adolesence

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

Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners

Best African music act

WINNER: Wizkid (Nigeria)

Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Davido (Nigeria)

Joshua Baraka (Uganda)

Moliy (Ghana)

Rema (Nigeria)

Shallipopi (Nigeria)

Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

Tyla (South Africa)

There's also awards for the screen actors, will Wunmi Mosaku win for Sinners? (Warner Bros)

Best Caribbean music act

WINNER: Vybz Kartel

Ayetian

Lila Iké

Masicka

Shenseea

Yung Bredda

Best jazz act

WINNER: Ezra Collective

Cktrll

Ego Ella May

Kokoroko

Nubya Garcia

Yazmin Lacey

Best electronic/dance act

WINNER: Sherelle

FKA Twigs

Jazzy

Kilimanjaro

Pinkpantheress

Salute

Best gospel act

WINNER: DC3

Annatoria

Faith Child

Imrhan

Sondae

Still Shadey

Best producer

WINNER: P2J

Inflo

Jae5

Miles Clinton James

Sammy Soso

Zach Nahome

Global songwriting award

WINNER: Pharrell Williams

Lifetime achievement award

WINNER: Slick Rick