Since it was announced last year that Europe’s biggest celebration of black music and culture, the MOBO Awards, is coming to Co-op Live in Manchester, we’ve been pretty overexcited, Now, the official MOBO Awards nominees have been released, and of course, it’s an all-star list.
2026 marks 30 years of the MOBO organisation, three decades of shifting culture, championing talent and creating iconic moments. The MOBOs will take place in Manchester on 26th March, 2026, with global star nominees including Central Cee, PinkPantheress, Olivia Dean, Michael Kiwanuka and so many more. Show hosts, superstar performers and special honourees are yet to be announced.
2026 MOBO Awards nominees
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
- 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 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
It’s not just incredible music being spotlighted at the MOBO Awards in Manchester, as we also have the nominees for ‘Best media personality‘ and ‘Best performance in a TV show/film‘, highlighting the excellence we’ve seen on screen in the past year.
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
Tickets for the MOBO Awards in Manchester
Tickets are available here from around £30 each.