African pop stars are making waves at the 2025 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards. Big names like Nigeria’s Asake and Rema, South Africa’s Tyla, and Ghana’s King Promise have all snagged nominations. The event is set for February in Newcastle, UK, and promises to be a celebration of Black music and culture.
Since its start in 1996, the MOBO Awards have been all about honoring the richness of Black music. They’ve highlighted everything from Afrobeats and hip hop to R&B, soul, grime, EDM, jazz, and beyond.
In the Best African Music Act category, Asake, Rema, Tyla, and King Promise face stiff competition from Ayra Starr, Bnxn & Ruger, Odumodublvck, Shallipopi, Tems (all from Nigeria), and Uncle Waffles from South Africa. Asake took home this prize last year—can he do it again?
But that’s not all for Asake. Along with Ayra Starr, Tems, and Tyla, he’s also up for Best International Act. They’re going head-to-head with US heavyweights like Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, and GloRilla.
On the gospel side, Nigerian singer Limoblaze is in the running for Best Gospel Act.
This year’s top contenders, though, are Jorja Smith, Sampha, Cleo Sol, Ghetts, and Central Cee, each with three nominations.
Kanya King CBE, who founded the MOBOs, shared her excitement:
“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.”
”A huge congratulations to all our nominees across music, film and television, and entertainment. We look forward to welcoming you in Newcastle.”
Here’s the full list of 2025 MOBO nominees:
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 International Act
- Asake
- Ayra Starr
- Beyoncé
- GloRilla
- Kendrick Lamar
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
- Tems
- Tyla
Best Gospel Act Supported By Premier Gospel
- Annatoria
- Imrhan
- Limoblaze
- Reblah
- Still Shadey
- Volney Morgan & New Ye
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 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 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
