MOBO Awards 2025: Jorja Smith, Sampha, Central Cee, Ghetts, Bashy, Odeal and Cleo Sol lead the charge in a triple-nomination takeover

The MOBO Awards have announced their nominations for 2025, with the ceremony set to take place at Newcastle's Utilita Arena on 18th February.

Jorja Smith, Sampha, Bashy, Ghetts, Cleo Sol, Central Cee and Odeal lead this year's nominations with three nods each.

Smith and Sol feature in multiple categories including Best Female Act and Album of the Year, with Smith's 'Falling Or Flying' and Sol's 'Gold' both receiving recognition. The Album of the Year category also includes Bashy's 'Being Poor Is Expensive', Ghetts' 'On Purpose, With Purpose', Sampha's 'Lahai' and Skrapz's 'Reflection'. Best Female Act nominations include Little Simz, Darkoo and Nia Archives alongside Smith, Sol and Raye.

In the Best Newcomer category, emerging artists Chy Cartier, Elmiene, Flowerovlove, Len, Myles Smith and Pozer are among those recognised, while Bob Vylan, Hak Baker and Spider feature in the Best Alternative Music category.

"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," says MOBO Founder Kanya King CBE. "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."