Olivia Dean and Little Simz are among the most nominated artists at the 2026 MOBO Awards, with both picking up four nods as the ceremony marks its 30th anniversary.
Dean, Little Simz, Jim Legxacy and Kwn lead the field across a wide range of categories, reflecting the MOBOs’ continued focus on genre crossover and emerging UK talent. Dean and Simz also go head-to-head in the Album of the Year category, one of the night’s most closely watched prizes.
The 2026 MOBO Awards will take place on 26 March at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, following the BRIT Awards in moving to the venue. In recent years, the ceremony has rotated across UK cities including Newcastle, Sheffield, Coventry and Leeds.
Founded in 1996 by Kanya King and Andy Ruffell, the MOBO Awards have spent three decades championing Black music and culture across rap, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, electronic and alternative genres.
First-time recognition for Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean earns her first-ever MOBO nominations this year, landing spots in Album of the Year, Best Female Act, Song of the Year for “Man I Need”, and Best R&B/Soul Act.
In the Album of the Year category, she faces competition from Central Cee’s Can’t Rush Greatness, Ezra Collective’s Dance, No One’s Watching, FLO’s Access All Areas, Kojey Radical’s Don’t Look Down, and Little Simz’ Lotus. Simz previously won the Album of the Year award in 2022, sharing the prize with Knucks for Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
Strong showing for UK rap and rising talent
Central Cee, Skepta, PinkPantheress and FLO each receive three nominations, underlining another dominant year for British rap and pop crossover acts.
The Best New Artist category features ten nominees, highlighting the MOBOs’ role in spotlighting future stars. This year’s shortlist includes DC3, EsDeeKid, FineeseKid, Jim Legxacy, Kwn, namesbliss, Nia Smith, Sekou, Skye Newman and YT.
Beyond music, the awards continue to recognise Black excellence across film and television. Cynthia Erivo is nominated for Best TV/Film Performance for Wicked, competing against Stephen Graham for his role in the Netflix drama Adolescence.
International acts and global reach
The International Act category reflects the MOBOs’ expanding global scope, with nominees including Cardi B, Gunna, Leon Thomas and Kehlani.
Tickets for the 2026 MOBO Awards are on sale now via the official MOBO website. Performers, hosts and special honourees will be announced closer to the event.
Here are the nominations for the 2026 awards 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 Orojougun (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
