Central Cee, Jorja Smith & Sampha Among Nominees for 2025 MOBO Awards: Full List

The full nominations for the 2025 MOBO Awards have been revealed, with Central Cee, Jorja Smith and Sampha among the names leading the way with three nods each.

The 27th edition of the annual ceremony, which was established in 1996 and celebrates music of Black origin, is scheduled to take place in Newcastle for the first time. It’ll be held at the city’s Utilita Arena on Feb. 18.

The album of the year category features Bashy (Being Poor Is Expensive), Cleo Sol (Gold), Ghetts (On Purpose, With Purpose) Jorja Smith (Falling Or Flying), Sampha (Lahai) and Skrapz (Reflection). The former marks a return to music after 15 years for the London rapper, known otherwise as Ashley Williams, having built a successful acting career including his role as Jermaine Newton in hit Netflix series Top Boy.

Elsewhere, Raye is up for best female act and video of the year (“Genesis”). Alternative artist Jordan Adetunji, who made his Billboard Hot 100 debut in July with viral single “Kehlani” peaking at No. 24, picks up two nominations for best newcomer and song of the year. 

In the running for best international act are Asake, Ayra Starr, Beyoncé, GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Tems and Tyla.

“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,” MOBO founder Kenya King said in a statement. “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 U.K. this past year has been some of the best we have had in years. These distinct, uncompromising voices are not just soundtracks for our days. They provide healing and reflection, and also escapism in times of need.”

The major winners at the MOBO Awards 2024, which were held in Sheffield, included Little Simz, Dave, and Stormzy.

Here’s the full list of nominees for the MOBO Awards 2025: 

Best male act

Bashy

Central Cee

D-Block Europe

Ghetts

Nemzzz

Sampha

Best female act

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

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

Cleo Sol

Elmiene

Flo

Jaz Karis

Jorja Smith

Nippa

Odeal

Sasha Keable

Shae Universe

Sinead Harnett

Best alternative music act

ALT BLK ERA

Bob Vylan

Hak Baker

Kid Bookie

Native James

Spider

Best grime act

Chip

D Double E

Duppy

Kruz Leone

Manga Saint Hilare

Scorcher

Best hip hop act

Bashy

Cristale

Headie One

Nines

Potter Payper

Skrapz

Best drill act

163Margs

Central Cee

Headie One

Kairo Keyz

K-trap

Pozer

Best international act

Asake

Ayra Starr

Beyoncé

GloRilla

Kendrick Lamar

Latto

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

Tems

Tyla

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 African music act

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 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

Eliza Rose

Nia Archives

Pinkpantheress

Salute

Shygirl

Tsha