MOBO Awards 2025: All the nominees

Established in 1996, the MOBO Awards recognise Black music and culture while encouraging the evolution of a wide range of genres, from Afrobeats and hip hop to R&B, soul, grime, drill, EDM, jazz, and more.

Asake, Rema, Tyla, and King Promise were shortlisted in the Best African Music Act category, alongside Ayra Starr (Nigeria), Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria), Odumodublvck (Nigeria), Shallipopi (Nigeria), Tems (Nigeria), and Uncle Waffles (South Africa). Last year, Asake won this category.

Asake, Ayra Starr, Tems, and Tyla are also up for Best International Act, competing against US stars Beyoncé, GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, and Nicki Minaj.

Elsewhere, Nigerian gospel singer Limoblaze will be looking to take home the Best Gospel Act trophy.

Meanwhile, this year’s top nominees are Jorja Smith, Sampha, Cleo Sol, Ghetts, and Central Cee, each securing three nominations.

MOBO founder Kanya King CBE said: “Each and every time we unveil the MOBO Awards nominations, I am taken aback by the sheer amount of incredible talent we have in the UK. It inspires us all to continue pushing the industry to be more inclusive of a greater variety of Black music and culture. The music coming out of the UK this past year has been some of the best we have had in years. These distinct, uncompromising voices – across different genres from R&B and soul to grime, hip hop to jazz and alternative – are not just soundtracks for our days. They provide healing and reflection, and also escapism in times of need.

“For several years now we have also seen the growth of our MOBO UnSung talent programme, as it continues to be a beacon for spotlighting and empowering emerging artists. Some of the artists tipped by UnSung have gone on to achieve great things and we're so proud to be following their journey, and celebrating their success. A huge congratulations to all our nominees across music, film and television, and entertainment. We look forward to welcoming you in Newcastle.” 

Below is the full list of nominees:

Best African Music Act In Association With Loco Music

• Asake (Nigeria)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria)
• King Promise (Ghana)
• Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
• Rema (Nigeria)
• Shallipopi (Nigeria)
• Tems (Nigeria)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (South Africa)

Best International Act

• Asake
• Ayra Starr
• Beyoncé
• GloRilla
• Kendrick Lamar
• Latto
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Nicki Minaj
• Tems
• Tyla

Best Gospel Act Supported By Premier Gospel

• Annatoria
• Imrhan
• Limoblaze
• Reblah
• Still Shadey
• Volney Morgan & New Ye

Best Male Act

• Bashy
• Central Cee
• D-Block Europe
• Ghetts
• Nemzzz
• Sampha

Best Female Act In Association With Got2b

• Cleo Sol
• Darkoo
• Jorja Smith
• Little Simz
• Nia Archives
• Raye

Album Of The Year

• Bashy – ‘Being Poor Is Expensive’
• Cleo Sol – ‘Gold’
• Ghetts – ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’
• Jorja Smith – ‘Falling Or Flying’
• Sampha – ‘Lahai’
• Skrapz – ‘Reflection’

Song Of The Year

• Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – ‘Band4band’
• Chase & Status, Stormzy – ‘Backbone’
• Darkoo Feat. Dess Dior – ‘Favourite Girl’
• Jordan Adetunji – ‘Kehlani’
• Leostaytrill – ‘Pink Lemonade’
• Odeal – ‘Soh-soh’

Best Newcomer

• Chy Cartier
• Elmiene
• Fimiguerrero
• Flowerovlove
• Jordan Adetunji
• Len
• Leostaytrill
• Myles Smith
• Odeal
• Pozer

Video Of The Year In Association With LNER

• Meekz – ‘Mini Me’s’ (Directed By Kc Locke)
• Mnelia – ‘My Man’ (Directed By Femi Bello)
• Raye – ‘Genesis’ (Directed By Otis Dominique & Raye)
• Sampha – ‘Only’ (Directed By Dexter Navy)
• Skepta – ‘Gas Me Up (Diligent)’ (Directed By Steveo)
• Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – ‘Hocus Pocus’ (Directed By Felix Brady)

Best R&B/Soul Act Supported By Kiss Fm

• Cleo Sol
• Elmiene
• Flo
• Jaz Karis
• Jorja Smith
• Nippa
• Odeal
• Sasha Keable
• Shae Universe
• Sinead Harnett

Best Alternative Music Act In Association With Marshall

• ALT BLK ERA
• Bob Vylan
• Hak Baker
• Kid Bookie
• Native James
• Spider

Best Grime Act Supported By Trench

• Chip
• D Double E
• Duppy
• Kruz Leone
• Manga Saint Hilare
• Scorcher

Best Hip Hop Act Supported By Bbc Radio 1xtra

• Bashy
• Cristale
• Headie One
• Nines
• Potter Payper
• Skrapz

Best Drill Act

• 163Margs
• Central Cee
• Headie One
• Kairo Keyz
• K-trap
• Pozer

Best Performance In A TV Show/Film

• Angela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In Eastenders
• Caroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book II: Ghost
• Diane Parish As Denise Fox In Eastenders
• Dionne Brown As Queenie In Queenie
• Ghetts As Krazy In Supacell
• Jacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The Vampire
• Jasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top Boy
• Josh Tedeku As Tazer In Supacell
• Kingsley Ben-adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One Love
• Tosin Cole As Michael In Supacell

Best Media Personality

• 90’s Baby Show
• AJ Odudu
• Chuckie Online
• Craig Mitch
• Henrie Kwushue
• Madame Joyce
• Micah Richards
• Specs Gonzalez
• The Receipts Podcast
• Zeze Millz

Best Caribbean Music Act

• Popcaan
• Shenseea
• Skillibeng
• Spice
• Valiant
• Yg Marley

Best Jazz Act

• Amy Gadiaga
• Blue Lab Beats
• Ego Ella May
• Ezra Collective
• Kokoroko
• Yussef Dayes

Best Electronic/Dance Act Supported By Mixmag

• Eliza Rose
• Nia Archives
• Pinkpantheress
• Salute
• Shygirl
• Tsha

Best Producer

• Ceebeaats
• Inflo
• Juls
• M1onthebeat
• P2j
• Sammy Soso