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."
The ceremony marks the first time the MOBO Awards have been held in Newcastle, with the event now in its 27th year.
The full list of nominees reads:
Best Male ActBashyCentral CeeD-Block EuropeGhettsNemzzzSampha
Best Female Act In Association With Got2bCleo SolDarkooJorja SmithLittle SimzNia ArchivesRaye
Album Of The YearBashy – ‘Being Poor Is Expensive’Cleo Sol – ‘Gold’Ghetts – ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’Jorja Smith – ‘Falling Or Flying’Sampha – ‘Lahai’Skrapz – ‘Reflection’
Song Of The YearCentral 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 NewcomerChy CartierElmieneFimiguerreroFlowerovloveJordan AdetunjiLenLeostaytrillMyles SmithOdealPozer
Video Of The Year In Association With LNERMeekz – ‘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 FmCleo SolElmieneFloJaz KarisJorja SmithNippaOdealSasha KeableShae UniverseSinead Harnett
Best Alternative Music Act In Association With MarshallALT BLK ERABob VylanHak BakerKid BookieNative JamesSpider
Best Grime Act Supported By TrenchChipD Double EDuppyKruz LeoneManga Saint HilareScorcher
Best Hip Hop Act Supported By Bbc Radio 1xtraBashyCristaleHeadie OneNinesPotter PayperSkrapz
Best Drill Act163MargsCentral CeeHeadie OneKairo KeyzK-trapPozer
Best International ActAsakeAyra StarrBeyoncéGloRillaKendrick LamarLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajTemsTyla
Best Performance In A TV Show/FilmAngela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In EastendersCaroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book II: GhostDiane Parish As Denise Fox In EastendersDionne Brown As Queenie In QueenieGhetts As Krazy In SupacellJacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The VampireJasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top BoyJosh Tedeku As Tazer In SupacellKingsley Ben-adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One LoveTosin Cole As Michael In Supacell
Best Media Personality90’s Baby ShowAJ OduduChuckie OnlineCraig MitchHenrie KwushueMadame JoyceMicah RichardsSpecs GonzalezThe Receipts PodcastZeze Millz
Best African Music Act In Association With Loco MusicAsake (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 ActPopcaanShenseeaSkillibengSpiceValiantYg Marley
Best Jazz ActAmy GadiagaBlue Lab BeatsEgo Ella MayEzra CollectiveKokorokoYussef Dayes
Best Electronic/Dance Act Supported By MixmagEliza RoseNia ArchivesPinkpantheressSaluteShygirlTsha
Best ProducerCeebeaatsInfloJulsM1onthebeatP2jSammy Soso
Best Gospel Act Supported By Premier GospelAnnatoriaImrhanLimoblazeReblahStill ShadeyVolney Morgan & New Ye
