The 26th edition of the MOBO Awards, the UK’s grandest celebration of Black music and culture, is gearing up to dazzle Sheffield on 7th February, 2024. This year’s nominees have been announced, with a fantastic lineup of talent ready to take the stage at Utilita Arena Sheffield. Tickets for this landmark event are available now, right here.
The MOBO Awards have always been about more than just music; this year is no exception. With an eye on celebrating all facets of black culture in arts, sports, and media, the awards promise a night of electrifying live performances and special honours, including the Paving The Way and Lifetime Achievement Award. The MOBO Impact and MOBO Pioneer Awards are new to this year’s ceremony.
Female artists are making waves this year, dominating top categories like Album of The Year, Song of The Year, and Best Newcomer. Among the notables, 22-year-old singer PinkPantheress, last year’s Best Female Act winner, is again nominated in that category, along with nominations for Song of The Year and Best Electronic/Dance Act.
Leading the nominations with four each are Little Simz and Stormzy. Little Simz is in the running for Best Female Act, Album of the Year, Video of The Year, and Best Hip Hop Act. Stormzy, a six-time MOBO Award winner, is nominated for Best Male Act, Album of The Year, Song of The Year, and Video of The Year.
Central Cee, J Hus, PinkPantheress, and RAYE are close behind, each securing three nominations. The Best African Act category highlights rising stars like Tyla and Ayra Starr, while the Best Dance/Electronic Act sees female artists like Aluna and Shygirl making their mark.
Voting is now open, so be sure to visit voting.mobo.com to cast yours.
Nominees for the 26th MOBO Awards include:
BEST MALE ACT
CENTRAL CEE
DAVE
D-BLOCK EUROPE
J HUS
NINES
STORMZY
BEST FEMALE ACT IN ASSOCIATION WITH SHEA MOISTURE
FLO
JORJA SMITH
LITTLE SIMZ
MAHALIA
PINKPANTHERESS
RAYE
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
EZRA COLLECTIVE – WHERE I’M MEANT TO BE
J HUS – BEAUTIFUL AND BRUTAL YARD
LITTLE SIMZ – NO THANK YOU
POTTER PAYPER – REAL BACK IN STYLE
RAYE – MY 21ST CENTURY BLUES
STORMZY – THIS IS WHAT I MEAN
SONG OF THE YEAR SUPPORTED BY BBC RADIO 1XTRA
CENTRAL CEE & DAVE – ‘SPRINTER’
J HUS FEAT. DRAKE – ‘WHO TOLD YOU’
JORJA SMITH – ‘LITTLE THINGS’
PINKPANTHERESS & ICE SPICE – ‘BOYS A LIAR PT.2’
RAYE & 070 SHAKE – ‘ESCAPISM’
STORMZY – ‘HIDE & SEEK’
BEST NEWCOMER IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NEW MOVIE ‘BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE’
AMA LOU
ANTSLIVE
DEBBIE
JAYO
NIPPA
NO GUIDNCE
RIMZEE
STRANDZ
TAMERA
TUNDE
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
ANTSLIVE – ‘NUMBER ONE CANDIDATE’ (DIRECTED BY TOM EMMERSON)
ENNY – ‘NO MORE NAIJA MEN’ (DIRECTED BY OTIS DOMINIQUE)
JORDS – ‘DIRT IN THE DIAMOND EP1: MOBAY FEAT. TAY IWAR / STAY CLOSE FEAT. KRANIUM’ (DIRECTED BY RENEE MARIA OSUBU)
LITTLE SIMZ – ‘GORILLA’ (DIRECTED BY DAVE MEYERS)
STORMZY – ‘MEL MADE ME DO IT‘ (DIRECTED BY KLVDR)
TION WAYNE – ‘HEALING’ (DIRECTED BY WOWA)
BEST R&B/SOUL ACT
BELLAH
JAZ KARIS
MAHALIA
RAGZ ORIGINALE
SAMPHA
SAULT
BEST HIP HOP ACT
AVELINO
CLAVISH
DIGGA D
ENNY
FREDO
GIGGS
LITTLE SIMZ
LOYLE CARNER
NINES
POTTER PAYPER
BEST GRIME ACT
BUGZY MALONE
DUPPY
FLOWDAN
MANGA SAINT HILARE
NOVELIST
P MONEY
BEST DRILL ACT SUPPORTED BY TRENCH
CENTRAL CEE
HEADIE ONE
K-TRAP
KWENGFACE
M24
RUSS MILLIONS
TEEZANDOS
UNKNOWN T
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT (US)
DOJA CAT
DRAKE & 21 SAVAGE
TRAVIS SCOTT
ICE SPICE
LATTO
LIL UZI VERT
NICKI MINAJ
SEXYY RED
SZA
VICTORIA MONET
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW/FILM
ADJANI SALMON AS KWABENA – DREAMING WHILST BLACK
DAMSON IDRIS AS FRANKLIN SAINT – SNOWFALL
DÉJA J. BOWENS AS VITA – CHAMPION
IDRIS ELBA AS SAM – HIJACK
INDIA AMARTEIFIO AS QUEEN CHARLOTTE – QUEEN CHARLOTTE: A BRIDGERTON STORY
JOHN BOYEGA AS FONTAINE – THEY CLONED TYRONE
LASHANA LYNCH AS IZOGIE – THE WOMAN KING
LETITIA WRIGHT AS SHURI – BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
MALCOLM KAMULETE AS BOSCO –
Photo credit: Press
