The MOBO Awards, Europe’s biggest and most influential celebration of Black music and culture, today announces the nominees across 20 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognising outstanding talent and releases from 1 September 2024 to 1October 2025. For the first time in its history, the MOBO Awards will take place in Manchester, as part of theMOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT
- ALT BLK ERA
- BLOOD ORANGE
- HAK BAKER
- MICHAEL KIWANUKA
- NOVA TWINS
- RACHEL CHINOURIRI
The 2026 Awards will be held onThursday 26 March, live from Co-op Live, the UK’s newest and largest live entertainment arena. Tickets are available now via mobo.com/tickets. Audiences can expect an unforgettable night of electrifying performances, powerful tributes andculture-shaping moments, with show hosts, superstar performers and special honourees to be revealed soon.
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of MOBO Group said: “As MOBO enters its 30th year, Ifind myself reflecting on the extraordinary breadth of talent we have championed over the pastthree 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. Theirvoices matter — not only in how they soundtrack our lives, but in how they shape the future. Fromsharp, socially conscious lyricism to boundary-pushing creativity that defies genre, this generationof artists is deeply connected to their communities.The 2026 nominations represent one of the strongest and most diverse showcases of BlackBritish music excellence we’ve seen in years. 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.”
Leading this year’s nominations are Little Simz, Olivia Dean and rising stars kwn and JimLegxacy, each earning four nominations.Three-time MOBO Award winner Little Simz continues her standout run with four nominations this year. She is recognised for Album of the Year in association with Amazon Music for thecritically acclaimed Lotus, Best Female Act in association with got2b, Best Hip Hop Act, andVideo of the Year in association with Vevo for “Flood”, featuring Obongjayar and MoonchildSanelly and directed by Salomon Lighthelm.Olivia Dean earns four nominations this year, including Album of the Year in association with Amazon Music for the chart-topping The Art of Loving, Best Female Act in association withgot2b, Best R&B/Soul Act, and Song of the Year for “Man I Need.”kwn cements her place as one of the UK’s most exciting new R&B stars to watch. The hotly-tipped London-born artist is up for Best Newcomer, Best Female Act in association with got2b, BestR&B/Soul, and Song of The Year for ‘Do What I Say’.
Lewisham-born rapper, singer and producer Jim Legxacy continues his ascent with fournominations, including Best Male Act in association with Prostate Cancer UK, BestNewcomer, Song of the Year for his collaboration with Dave, ‘3X’, and Video of The Year inassociation with Vevo for “Father.”Central Cee, FLO, PinkPantheress and Skepta score three nominations each in heavily-coveted categories.One of the most decorated rappers in MOBO Awards history, Central Cee earns three nominations this year, including Album of the Year in association with Amazon Music for the chart-topping Can’t Rush Greatness, Best Male Act in association with Prostate Cancer UK,and Best Hip Hop Act.R&B trio FLO and experimental electronic artist and producer PinkPantheress continue their ascent, earning nominations across some of the ceremony’s most prestigious categories.
FLO is recognised for Album of the Year in association with Amazon Music for their critically acclaimed debut Access All Areas, Best Female Act in association with got2b, and BestR&B/Soul Act. PinkPantheress receives nominations for Best Female Act in association withgot2b, Best Electronic/Dance Act supported by BEMA & Mixmag and Song of the Year for the viral hit “Illegal”.Grime legend and multi-disciplinary creative Skepta earns nominations for Best Male Act in association with Prostate Cancer UK, Video of the Year in association with Vevo for Back 2Back, which he co-directed with Domamanic, and Song of the Year for “Victory Lap” alongside Fred again.. and PlaqueBoyMax.
At the heart of MOBO’s mission is championing emerging talent, and each year the Best Newcomer category is widely regarded as one of the industry’s strongest indicators of futurestars. This year’s ten nominees spotlight a new generation of boundary-pushing voices shaping the UK’s sound, from Scouse sensation EsDeeKid to London’s rising underground figures JimLegxacy, Finessekid and YT.The breadth of talent on display reflects the diversity and individuality defining today’s emerging scene. From the striking new voice of Skye Newman and Northampton’s teenage gospel-rapartist DC3, to the reggae-inflected soul of Nia Smith, the genre-blending lyricism of Nameblissand Leicester-born, retro-leaning R&B artist Sekou, the future of UK music has never looked more exciting.While rooted in music, the MOBO Awards also recognise outstanding cultural contributions acrossfilm and television.
This year, Netflix’s acclaimed series Adolescence receives two nominationsfor Best Performance in a TV Show / Film, recognising Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham,alongside nominations for Cynthia Erivo for Wicked and Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners. Together, these nominations reflect the depth, range and impact of diverse talent shaping today’s screenstorytelling.
Recognising the personalities, broadcasters, content creators and podcasters who shape andreflect culture year-round, MOBO’s Best Media Personality category spotlights some of the mostinfluential voices in today’s media landscape. This year’s nominees include DJ AG, known for hisviral DJ sets outside King’s Cross Station featuring surprise appearances from artists includingSkepta and Ciara; TikTok sensation Bemi Orojuogun, also known as “Bus Aunty”; fashionstylist and content creator Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe of Melissa’s Wardrobe; and thepopular podcasters behind In My Opinion and Winners Talking.Ayra Starr, Tyla and Moliy each receive two nominations across Best African Music Act andBest International Act, reflecting the continued global rise of a new generation of African femalestars.
Meanwhile, King of Dancehall and 2025 MOBO Impact Award recipient Vybz Kartel is alsorecognised with nominations for Best Caribbean Music Act and Best International Act.The MOBO Awards celebrate the most exciting talent shaping music of Black origin today, spanning categories including Best Alternative Music Act, Best Grime Act supported byTRENCH, Best Drill Act, Best African Music Act, Best Caribbean Music Act, Best Jazz Act,Best Electronic/Dance Act supported by BEMA & Mixmag, Best Gospel Act supported by Premier Gospel, and Best Producer.MOBO is also delighted to welcome new partners for the 2026 MOBO Awards. Amazon Musicjoins as the sponsor of Album of the Year. Vevo also joins as a partner this year,sponsoring Video of the Year and supporting the category’s celebration of visual excellence.
They join previously announced returning partners Prostate Cancer UK and got2b. ProstateCancer UK continues its vital role as the Official Men’s Health Charity Partner and sponsor ofthe Best Male Act category, raising essential awareness of the higher risk of prostate canceramong Black men and campaigning to address health inequalities across the UK. Meanwhile,got2b returns as the Official Hairstyling Partner and sponsor of the Best Female Actcategory, championing individuality, self-expression and creativity on one of the biggest nights inmusic and culture.Select MOBO Awards categories are open to fan voting.
For full details, visit voting.mobo.com
