Olivia Dean and Little Simz are among the leading acts nominated for the 2026 MOBO Awards.
Both artists, as well as rising stars Jim Legxacy and Kwn, score four nominations across the genre-spanning categories, with Dean and Simz also competing in the prestigious album of the year field.
The 2026 ceremony marks 30 years of the MOBOs organisation which was co-founded by Kanya King and Andy Ruffell. The MOBO Awards, held annually, champion Black music and culture across a wide spectrum of genres and disciplines.
The ceremony will take place on March 26 at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, and follows the BRIT Awards in moving to the venue. In recent years, the MOBOs has toured British cities such as Newcastle (2025), Sheffield (2024), Coventry (2021) and Leeds (2019).
British stars Central Cee, Skepta, PinkPantheress and FLO are recognised in three categories each. Cynthia Erivo will feature in the best TV/film performance category for her turn in Wicked, going up against Stephen Graham for his role in the Netflix hit drama Adolescence, among others.
Dean will compete in the album of the year category, as well as best female act, song of the year (“Man I Need”), and best R&B/soul act; these are her first nominations for the MOBO Awards. In the album of the year category, she’ll be up against 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. The latter shared the album of the year prize with Knucks in 2022 for her fourth LP Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
Ten artists will feature in the best artist field with a number of strong names included in the category: DC3; EsDeeKid; FineeseKid; Jim Legxacy; Kwn; namesbliss; Nia Smith; Sekou; Skye Newman; and YT.
The MOBOs celebrate a wide range of genres, including jazz, electronic, gospel and alternative music. A number of global stars feature in the international act category, including Cardi B, Gunna, Leon Thomas, and Kehlani.
Tickets for the event are on sale now from the MOBOs’ official website, with performers and special honorees to be announced in due course. See the full list of nominees below.
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”
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 – “lllegal”
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” (Directed by Bas Haselager)
FKA Twigs – “Eusexua“ (Directed by Jordan Hemingway)
Jim Legxacy – “’Father“ (Directed by Lauzza)
Little Simz – “Flood“ (Directed by Salomon Lighthelm)
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
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
Cktrll
Ego Ella May
Ezra Collective
Kokoroko
Nubya Garcia
Yazmin Lacey
Best electronic/dance 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
