The list of nominees for the MOBO Awards, which celebrate black music in the UK and abroad, has been released and there's a plethora of talent set to be celebrated.
It's a shame there can only be one winner for each award but plenty of work has gone into making the music which has been nominated and just getting there is an achievement.
Olivia Dean and Little Simz top the number of nominations with four apiece for their work, The Art of Loving and Lotus respectively, and it marks 30 years since the awards were founded.
Select categories are open to voting and you can check them out here.
Advert
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of MOBO Group, said: "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.
"This year’s nominees are a powerful reflection of the culture and moment we are living in.
"Their voices matter - not only in how they soundtrack our lives, but in how they shape the future. From sharp, socially conscious lyricism to boundary-pushing creativity that defies genre, this generation of artists is deeply connected to their communities.
"The 2026 nominations represent one of the strongest and most diverse showcases of Black British music excellence we’ve seen in years.
Advert
"Spanning R&B, dance-electronic, and experimental rap, what unites these artists is the power of their storytelling, their confidence and cultural impact. Congratulations to all our nominees - we can’t wait to celebrate with you in Manchester."
And the nominees are...
Best Male Act
- Central Cee
- Elmiene
- Jim Legxacy
- Nemzzz
- Odeal
- Skepta
Best Female Act
- Flo
- Kwn
- Little Simz
- Olivia Dean
- Pinkpantheress
- Sasha Keable
Album of the Year
- 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
- 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
- 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
- FKA Twigs
- Jazzy
- Kilimanjaro
- Pinkpantheress
- Salute
- Sherelle
Best Gospel Act
- Annatoria
- DC3
- Faith Child
- Imrhan
- Sondae
- Still Shadey
Best Producer
- Inflo
- Jae5
- Miles Clinton James
- P2J
- Sammy Soso
- Zach Nahome
The 2026 MOBO Awards will be held in Manchester on 26 March.
Topics: Music
Joe Harker