The likes of Central Cee, Bashy and Ghetts will battle it out for Best Male Act, while RAYE, Nia Archives, Little Simz and Jorja Smith are all up for Best Female Act. The 2025 MOBO Awards will take place next February in Newcastle, UK.
The nominations for next year’s MOBO Awards, which celebrate Black music and culture, have been revealed.
The awards have been running since 1996 and the 27th edition of the annual ceremony will take place in Newcastle for the first time in February.
From established names to up-and-coming talent, this year’s nominees are led by Jorja Smith, Sampha, Cleo Sol, Ghetts and Central Cee, who all tally three nominations.
Central Cee is aiming to take home the Best Male Act gong for the third year in a row – and is also shortlisted for catergories including Best Drill Act and Song of the Year.
Record-breaking artist RAYE, who deservedly took home the award for Best Female Act last year, is up for two awards, joining Little Simz this year for Best Female Act.
Elsewhere, Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj are among the artists in the running for Best International Act.
Film and TV contributions are also recognised – with actors from from the crime drama series Top Boy, soap opera EastEnders, the very sexy Interview With The Vampire, and the Netflix series Supacell all getting nods.
Here is the full list of nominees for the MOBO Awards 2025:
Best Male Act
Bashy
Central Cee
D-Block Europe
Ghetts
Nemzzz
Sampha
ADVERTISEMENTBest Female Act In Association With Got2b
Cleo Sol
Darkoo
Jorja Smith
ADVERTISEMENTLittle Simz
Nia Archives
RAYE
Album Of The Year
ADVERTISEMENTBashy – ‘Being Poor Is Expensive’
Cleo Sol – ‘Gold’
Ghetts – ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’
Jorja Smith – ‘Falling Or Flying’
ADVERTISEMENTSampha – ‘Lahai’
Skrapz – ‘Reflection’
Song Of The Year
Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – ‘Band4band’
ADVERTISEMENTChase & Status, Stormzy – ‘Backbone’
Darkoo Feat. Dess Dior – ‘Favourite Girl’
Jordan Adetunji – ‘Kehlani’
Leostaytrill – ‘Pink Lemonade’
ADVERTISEMENTOdeal – ‘Soh-soh’
Best Newcomer
Chy Cartier
Elmiene
ADVERTISEMENTFimiguerrero
Flowerovlove
Jordan Adetunji
Len
ADVERTISEMENTLeostaytrill
Myles Smith
Odeal
Pozer
ADVERTISEMENTVideo 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)
ADVERTISEMENTSampha – ‘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
ADVERTISEMENTCleo Sol
Elmiene
Flo
Jaz Karis
ADVERTISEMENTJorja Smith
Nippa
Odeal
Sasha Keable
ADVERTISEMENTShae Universe
Sinead Harnett
Best Alternative Music Act In Association With Marshall
ALT BLK ERA
ADVERTISEMENTBob Vylan
Hak Baker
Kid Bookie
Native James
ADVERTISEMENTSpider
Best Grime Act Supported By Trench
Chip
D Double E
ADVERTISEMENTDuppy
Kruz Leone
Manga Saint Hilare
Scorcher
ADVERTISEMENTBest Hip Hop Act Supported By Bbc Radio 1xtra
Bashy
Cristale
Headie One
ADVERTISEMENTNines
Potter Payper
Skrapz
Best Drill Act
ADVERTISEMENT163Margs
Central Cee
Headie One
Kairo Keyz
ADVERTISEMENTK-trap
Pozer
Best International Act
Asake
ADVERTISEMENTAyra Starr
Beyoncé
GloRilla
Kendrick Lamar
ADVERTISEMENTLatto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Tems
ADVERTISEMENTTyla
Best Performance In A TV Show/Film
Angela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In Eastenders
Caroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book II: Ghost
ADVERTISEMENTDiane 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
ADVERTISEMENTJasmine 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
ADVERTISEMENTBest Media Personality
90’s Baby Show
AJ Odudu
Chuckie Online
ADVERTISEMENTCraig Mitch
Henrie Kwushue
Madame Joyce
Micah Richards
ADVERTISEMENTSpecs Gonzalez
The Receipts Podcast
Zeze Millz
Best African Music Act In Association With Loco Music
ADVERTISEMENTAsake (Nigeria)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria)
King Promise (Ghana)
ADVERTISEMENTOdumodublvck (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
ADVERTISEMENTTyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Best Caribbean Music Act
Popcaan
ADVERTISEMENTShenseea
Skillibeng
Spice
Valiant
ADVERTISEMENTYg Marley
Best Jazz Act
Amy Gadiaga
Blue Lab Beats
ADVERTISEMENTEgo Ella May
Ezra Collective
Kokoroko
Yussef Dayes
ADVERTISEMENTBest Electronic/Dance Act Supported By Mixmag
Eliza Rose
Nia Archives
Pinkpantheress
ADVERTISEMENTSalute
Shygirl
Tsha
Best Producer
ADVERTISEMENTCeebeaats
Inflo
Juls
M1onthebeat
ADVERTISEMENTP2j
Sammy Soso
Best Gospel Act Supported By Premier Gospel
Annatoria
ADVERTISEMENTImrhan
Limoblaze
Reblah
Still Shadey
ADVERTISEMENTVolney Morgan & New Ye
The MOBO Awards take place at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on 18 February 2025.
Source: Euro News
