Complete List Of Nominees For The MOBO Awards 2026

Here is the complete list of nominees for the MOBO Awards 2026, scheduled for March.

The nominations for the 2026 edition have been announced, highlighting the significant presence of Nigerian artists in major categories.

Artists such as Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Rema, Adekunle Gold, and Tiwa Savage received nominations, indicating Nigeria’s influence in the global music scene.

The annual celebration of music with Black origins will take place at the Co-op Live on March 26, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the awards.

This year’s recognitions will honor artists and releases from September 1, 2024, to October 1, 2025. Leading the nominations are well-known artists like Little Simz and Olivia Dean, as well as emerging talents such as kwn and Jim Legxacy.

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
• Donaeo 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
• FKA Twigs – Eusexua
• Jim Legxacy –
• Little Simz – Flood
• Raye – Where Is My Husband!
• Skepta & Fred Again.. – Back 2 Back

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 (Melissas 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
• Ayra Starr
• Davido
• Joshua Baraka
• Moliy
• Rema
• Shallipopi
• Tiwa Savage
• Tyla
• Wizkid

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 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