The artists nominated for awards at the 2026 MOBO Awards in Manchester have been revealed. Check out a full list below.
- READ MORE: Little Simz – ‘Lotus’ review: a raw reckoning from rap’s quiet warrior
The awards ceremony marks the biggest and most influential celebration of Black music and culture in Europe, and will be heading to Manchester later this spring to mark the 30th anniversary.
It’ll take place on Thursday March 26 at the Co-op Live arena, and today (Thursday January 15) – the full run of nominees in all 20 categories have been announced.
The awards this year will recognise outstanding talent and releases from September 1 2024 to October 1 2025, and leading this year’s nominations are Little Simz, Olivia Dean, and rising stars kwn and Jim Legxacy – each earning four nominations.
Little Simz already has three MOBOs under her belt, and is this year up for Album of the Year in association with Amazon Music for ‘Lotus’, Best Female Act in association with got2b, Best Hip Hop Act, and Video of the Year in association with Vevo for ‘Flood’.
Olivia Dean is also up for Album Of The Year for ‘The Art Of Loving’, as well as Best Female Act, Best R&B/Soul Act, and Song of the Year for ‘Man I Need’.
Kwn is tipped for Best Newcomer, Best Female Act, Best R&B/Soul, and Song of The Year for ‘Do What I Say’, and Jim Legxacy is up for Best Male Act in association with Prostate Cancer UK, Best Newcomer, Song of the Year for ‘3X’, and Video of The Year for ‘Father’.
On their heels are Central Cee, Flo, PinkPantheress and Skepta, each with three nominations, and the 10 nominees for Best Newcomer include EsDeeKid, Jim Legxacy, Finessekid and YT.
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 Ligthelm)
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
The awards also recognise outstanding cultural contributions across film and television, and nominees include Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham for their work in Adolescence, Cynthia Erivo for Wicked and Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners.
Other categories include Best Media Personality, Best Drill Act, Best African Music Act, Best Caribbean Music Act, Best Jazz Act, Best Producer and more.
“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,” said Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of MOBO Group.
King also added that the nominees are “a powerful reflection of the culture and moment we are living in”, and “represent one of the strongest and most diverse showcases of Black British music excellence we’ve seen in years.
Hosts, performers and special honourees for the 2026 edition will be announced soon.
Last year’s MOBO ceremony took place in Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, and was hosted by comedian Eddie Kadi and Love Island star Indiyah Polack.
It saw Bashy take home the prestigious Album Of The Year prize for his first record in 15 years, ‘Being Poor Is Expensive’, Darkoo win Best Female Act and Song Of The Year for ‘Favourite Girl’, and Ayra Starr win Best African Music Act and Best International Act.
Odeal was another artist to take home two MOBOs – Best Newcomer and Best R&B/Soul Act – and Central Cee took home Best Male Act for a record third time, while Ezra Collective won Best Jazz Act and ALT BLK ERA were named Best Alternative Music Act.
The post Nominees announced for 2026 MOBO Awards in Manchester appeared first on NME.
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By: Liberty Dunworth
Title: Nominees announced for 2026 MOBO Awards in Manchester
Sourced From: www.nme.com/news/music/nominees-announced-for-2026-mobo-awards-in-manchester-3923373?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nominees-announced-for-2026-mobo-awards-in-manchester
Published Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:34:53 +0000
