MOBO Awards 2026 Shortlists: Here's every act nominated for the music awards - and when they'll take place

Little Simz is up for four MOBO Awards. | Getty Images

The nominations for the MOBO Awards, the UK’s premier celebration of Black music and culture, have been announced over 20 categories today (January 15).

For three decades, MOBO has celebrated established stars and some of the fastest-rising talent in music.

This year is a special 30th anniversary edition and Little Simz, Olivia Dean, KWN and Jim Legxacy lead the way with three nominations apiece.

Read more: Album reviews: Cynthia Erivo | Little Simz | Finn Wolfhard | Azamiah

For the first time ever the awards will be presented in Manchester - on Thursday, March 26, at the city’s Co-op Live arena.

Details of who will be performing at the ceremony will be confirmed shortly.

In the meantime, here are all the nominations in full.

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 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

Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.

----

---

--

-

- -- --- ---

-- --- --- -