MOBO Awards 2025: see the full list of nominees

The nominations for the MOBO Awards 2025 have been revealed – you can check out the full list below.

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

Leading the way are Jorja Smith, Sampha, Bashy, Ghetts, Cleo Sol, Central Cee and Odeal with three nominations apiece.

Elsewhere, RAYE is up for Best Female Act and Video Of The Year (‘Genesis’). The former is also made up of Little Simz, Cleo Sol, Darkoo, Jorja Smith and Nia Archives.

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’).

There are also nods for Chy Cartier, Elmiene, Flowerovlove, Len, Myles Smith, Pozer and more in the Best Newcomer list. The Best Alternative Music category includes the likes of Bob Vylan, Hak Baker and Spider.

Which album did you have on repeat ? 🎶🔥 #MOBOAwards Nominees for Album of the Year:

Being Poor Is Expensive (@Bashy)

Gold (@cleosol)

On Purpose, With Purpose (@THEREALGHETTS)

Falling or Flying (@JorjaSmith)

Lahai (@sampha)

Reflection (@skrapzisback)

Don’t miss the 2025… pic.twitter.com/Zu6H3dD4ic

— MOBO Awards (@MOBOAwards) December 4, 2024

In the running for Best International Act are Asake, Ayra Starr, Beyoncé, GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Tems and Tyla.

Other categories include Song Of The Year, Best Grime Act, Best Drill Act and Best Performance In A TV Show/Film. The latter features actors from Top Boy, Bob Marley: One Love and EastEnders.

Kanya King CBE, MOBO Founder, said: “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. 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 UK this past year has been some of the best we have had in years. These distinct, uncompromising voices – across different genres from R&B and Soul to Grime, Hip-Hop to Jazz and Alternative – are not just soundtracks for our days. They provide healing and reflection, and also escapism in times of need.

“For several years now we have also seen the growth of our MOBO UnSung talent programme, as it continues to be a beacon for spotlighting and empowering emerging artists. Some of the artists tipped by UnSung have gone on to achieve great things and we’re so proud to be following their journey, and celebrating their success.

“A huge congratulations to all our nominees across music, film and television, and entertainment. We look forward to welcoming you in Newcastle!”

The full list of nominees for the MOBO Awards 2025 is as follows: 

Best Male Act

Bashy

Central Cee

D-Block Europe

Ghetts

Nemzzz

Sampha

Best Female Act In Association With Got2b

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 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)

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 Supported By Kiss Fm

Cleo Sol

Elmiene

Flo

Jaz Karis

Jorja Smith

Nippa

Odeal

Sasha Keable

Shae Universe

Sinead Harnett

Best Alternative Music Act In Association With Marshall

ALT BLK ERA

Bob Vylan

Hak Baker

Kid Bookie

Native James

Spider

Best Grime Act Supported By Trench

Chip

D Double E

Duppy

Kruz Leone

Manga Saint Hilare

Scorcher

Best Hip Hop Act Supported By Bbc Radio 1xtra

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 In Association With Loco Music

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 Supported By Mixmag

Eliza Rose

Nia Archives

Pinkpantheress

Salute

Shygirl

Tsha

Best Producer

Ceebeaats

Inflo

Juls

M1onthebeat

P2j

Sammy Soso

Best Gospel Act Supported By Premier Gospel

Annatoria

Imrhan

Limoblaze

Reblah

Still Shadey

Volney Morgan & New Ye

The winners at the MOBO Awards 2024 included the likes of Little Simz, Raye, Central Cee, Dave and Stormzy.