The MOBO Awards is an annual British music ceremony that honours excellence in Black music across genres such as Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Gospel, and African music.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
African stars: Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Rema, Moliy, Adekunle Gold, Tyla, Joshua Baraka, Davido, Tiwa Savage, and others have all earned nominations for the 2026 Music of Black Origin Awards (MOBO), further cementing the continent’s growing influence on global music.
Among the African nominees, Ayra Starr, who made history in 2025 as the first African female to win ‘Best International Act’ and the first female artiste to earn ‘Best African Music Act’, shines with two nods across major categories: ‘Best International Act’ and ‘Best African Music Act’.
Moliy and Tyla also secure two nominations each in ‘Best International Act’ alongside heavyweight champions like Cardi B, Clipse, and Gunna, and also in ‘Best African Music Act’. These recognitions reaffirm the female artistes’ status and grip on the African music scene over the past year. British-Nigerian artiste Odeal adds to the African representation with nominations in both ‘Best Male Act’ and ‘Best R&B/Soul Act’ categories, showcasing the versatility of African talent on the global stage.
Other African acts also dominate the ‘Best New International Act’ category, with Uganda’s Joshua Baraka joining Davido, Wizkid, Rema, Tiwa Savage, and Adekunle Gold in a diverse lineup of African talent pushing sonic boundaries across the globe.
The MOBO Awards is an annual British music ceremony that honours excellence in Black music across genres such as Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Gospel, and African music. As the awards prepare to celebrate their 30th anniversary on March 26, 2026, at the Co Op Live, African artistes once again feature prominently across multiple categories.
Below is the full list of nominations.
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 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 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 (in association with Schuh)
- DC3
- EsDeeKid
- FinesseKid
- Jim Legxacy
- KWN
- Namesbliss
- Nia Smith
- Sekou
- Skye Newman
- YT
Video of the Year (in association with Vevo)
- Pozer – “Shanghai 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 Ligthelm)
- Raye – “Where Is My Husband!” (Directed by The Reids)
- Skepta & Fred again.. – “Back 2 Back” (Directed by Dom&Nic 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 – Adolescence
- 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 P
- JAE5
- Miles Clinton James
- P2J
- Sammy Soso
- Zach Nahome