The 26th edition of the MOBO Awards unfolded at the Utility Arena in Sheffield, featuring hosts Babatunde Aleshe and Love Island’s Indiyah Polack.
The ceremony, designed to celebrate black music in the UK and worldwide, acknowledged special achievements by Soul II Soul, Sugababes, and Ghetts.
Raye, leading in Brit Awards nominations, secured the MOBO for Best Female, triumphing over nominees like Little Simz and PinkPantheress. Central Cee claimed the Best Male and Song of the Year awards, the latter for “Sprinter,” his collaboration with Dave.
Potter Payper’s “Real Back In Style” clinched Album of the Year, defeating contenders like Ezra Collective, J Hus, Little Simz, Raye, and Stormzy. Stormzy, however, seized the Video of the Year category with “Mel Made Me Do It.”
Tunde earned Best Newcomer, and genre-specific awards recognized acts like Sault, Little Simz, Bugzy Malone, Asake, K-Trap, and Ezra Collective. Best International Act went to Drake & 21 Savage.
Honorary awards recognized Sugababes, Soul II Soul, and Ghetts, while retired Olympic heptathlete Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill received the MOBOs “Paving the Way” award.
Ghanaian afrobeats stars King Promise and Camidoh delivered a captivating performance of “Terminator” and “Sugarcane.” The awards ceremony was streamed on YouTube from the Utility Arena Sheffield.
Here is the list of winners:
- Best Male Act: Central Cee
- Best Female Act: Raye
- Album of the Year: Potter Payper – Real Back In Style
- Song of the Year: Central Cee & Dave – Sprinter
- Best Newcomer: Tunde
- Video of the Year: Stormzy – Mel Made Me Do It
- Best RnB/Soul Act: Sault
- Best Hip-Hop Act: Little Simz
- Best Grime Act: Bugzy Malone
- Best Drill Act: K-Trap
- Best International Act: Drake & 21 Savage
- Best Performance in a TV Show/Film: Damson Idris as Franklin Saint – Snowfall
- Best Media Personality: ShxtsNGigs
- Best African Music Act: Asake
- Best Caribbean Music Act: Valiant
- Best Jazz Act: Ezra Collective
- Best Alternative Music Act: Skindred
- Best Electronic/Dance Act: Shygirl
- Best Producer: Inflo
- Best Gospel Act: Limoblaze
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Soul II Soul
- Impact Award: Sugababes
- Paving the Way Award: Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill
- Pioneer Award: Ghetts