Ayra Starr clinched the MOBO Award for ‘Best International Act’, beating a heavyweight lineup that included Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Latto.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Nigerian Afro-Pop artiste, Ayra Starr, has added another prestigious accolade to her already stellar career at the 2025 MOBO Awards, held recently at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England.
Ayra Starr clinched the MOBO Award for ‘Best International Act’, beating a heavyweight lineup that included Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Latto. She also made history as the first woman in 16 years to win ‘Best African Music Act’, triumphing over Asake, BNXN & Ruger, King Promise, Odumodublvck, Rema, Shallipopi, Tems, Tyla, and Uncle Waffles.
The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin Awards) is an annual British music ceremony that honors excellence in Black music across genres such as Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Gospel, and African music.
Other African winners on the night included Darkoo, whose collaboration with Dess Dior, “Favourite Girl”, won ‘Song of the Year’, while she also bagged ‘Best Female Act’. Nigerian-born singer, Odeal, secured ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best R&B/Soul Act’, further highlighting Afro-Pop’s influence on the global music landscape. British-Ghanaian producer, Juls, a key architect in Afro-Pop’s sonic evolution, also won ‘Best Producer’ at the event.
Full List of Winners
- Best Male Act – Central Cee
- Best Female Act – Darkoo
- Best Newcomer – Odeal
- Album of the Year – Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
- Song of the Year: Darkoo – “Favourite Girl” (ft. Dess Dior)
- Video of the Year: Mnelia – “My Man” (directed by Femi Bello)
- Best Hip-Hop Act – Bashy
- Best Grime Act – Scorcher
- Best Drill Act –Pozer
- Best R&B/Soul Act – Odeal
- Best Media Personality – 90s Baby Show
- Best African Music Act – Ayra Starr
- Best Performance in a TV Show/Film – Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With the Vampire
- Best Electronic/Dance Music Act – TSHA
- Best Gospel Act – Annatoria
- Best Jazz Act – Ezra Collective
- Best Producer – Juls
- Best Caribbean Music Act – Shenseea
- Best Alternative Music Act – ALT BLK ERA
- Best International Act – Ayra Starr
- MOBO Paving the Way Award – Denise Lewis
- MOBO Impact Award – Vybz Kartel