Nigeria’s biggest music exports — Ayra Starr, Davido, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage — have once again made an impressive showing at the 2026 MOBO Awards, securing multiple nominations and reaffirming the country’s strong influence on the global Black music landscape.
The nomination announcement came on Thursday, revealing contenders across 20 categories ahead of the awards ceremony set for March 26, 2026, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
This year’s edition is particularly significant, marking the first time the MOBO Awards will take place in Manchester while also celebrating the award body’s 30th anniversary.
Davido, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage all made the shortlist for the Best African Music Act category, where they will compete alongside fellow Nigerian stars Ayra Starr, Rema, Shallipopi and Adekunle Gold.
The list also features Ghana’s Moliy, Uganda’s Joshua Baraka and South African sensation Tyla, further emphasizing the rapid global expansion and cross-continental appeal of African music.
Ayra Starr continues her upward trajectory, standing out with nominations in both Best African Music Act and Best International Act categories.
In the international category, the Mavin Records star will face fierce competition from Cardi B, Kehlani, Gunna and Vybz Kartel. Tyla and Moliy also appear in both categories, underlining the strong presence of African and African-influenced talent.
Ayra Starr’s momentum at the MOBOs is noteworthy. At the 2025 ceremony, she became the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act, and she also claimed the Best International Music Act award.
Recognised as Europe’s biggest platform celebrating Black music and culture, the MOBO Awards spotlight achievements released between September 1, 2024, and October 1, 2025.
Speaking on the 2026 nominations, MOBO founder and CEO Kanya King CBE said the list reflects the power, diversity and cultural impact of Black music worldwide.
“As MOBO marks its 30th year, the nominees this year represent the sound, energy and message of today’s culture. These artists not only create the soundtrack to our lives but also influence the future,” King said.
She added that the 2026 shortlist is “one of the strongest and most diverse displays of Black British excellence in recent years,” while highlighting the awards’ expanding global influence.
Top Nominees and Industry Recognition
According to Gossip News Now , Little Simz, Olivia Dean, KWN and Jim Legxacy top the 2026 nominations list with four nods each. Central Cee, Skepta, PinkPantheress and FLO follow closely with three nominations each across major categories.
Beyond music categories, the MOBOs will also honour creatives in film, TV and media. Nominees for Best Performance in a TV Show/Film include Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham for their roles in Adolescence, and Nigerian-British actress Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners.
Before the awards night, Manchester will host the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long cultural event featuring live performances, interactive workshops and industry panels. Details on performers, honourees and hosts will be announced soon.
FULL LIST OF 2026 MOBO AWARDS NOMINEES
BEST MALE ACT
Central Cee
Elmiene
Jim Legxacy
Nemzzz
Odeal
Skepta
BEST FEMALE ACT
FLO
KWN
Little Simz
Olivia Dean
PinkPantheress
Sasha Keable
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Central Cee – Can’t Rush Greatness
Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching
FLO – Access All Areas
Kojey Radical – Don’t Look Down
Little Simz – Lotus
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
SONG OF THE YEAR
AJ Tracey ft. Jorja Smith – “Crush”
Donae’O ft. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir – “Nights Like This”
Fred Again, Skepta & Plaqueboymax – “Victory Lap”
Jim Legxacy & Dave – “3X”
KWN – “Do What I Say”
Myles Smith – “Nice To Meet You”
Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
PinkPantheress – “Illegal”
Raye – “Where Is My Husband!”
Tim Duzit – “Kat Slater”
BEST NEWCOMER
DC3
Esdeekid
FinesseKid
Jim Legxacy
KWN
NamesBliss
Nia Smith
Sekou
Skye Newman
YT
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Pozer – “Shanghigh Noon” (Dir. Bas Haselager)
FKA Twigs – “Eusexua” (Dir. Jordan Hemingway)
Jim Legxacy – “Father” (Dir. Lauzza)
Little Simz ft. Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly – “Flood” (Dir. Salomon Ligthelm)
Raye – “Where Is My Husband!” (Dir. The Reids)
Skepta & Fred Again – “Back 2 Back” (Dir. Domamanic & Skepta)
BEST R&B/SOUL ACT
Elmiene
FLO
KWN
Odeal
Olivia Dean
Sasha Keable
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT
Alt Blk Era
Blood Orange
Hak Baker
Michael Kiwanuka
Nova Twins
Rachel Chinouriri
BEST GRIME ACT
Chip
Jayahadadream
Kasst 8
Ruff Sqwad
Scorcher
Wiley
BEST HIP HOP ACT
Aitch
Asco
Catch
Central Cee
D-Block Europe
Kojey Radical
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Wretch 32
Youngs Teflon
BEST DRILL ACT
36
Booter Bee
Chy Cartier
Esdeekid
K-Trap
Leostaytrill
Nemzzz
Pozer
Twin S
Wohdee
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Ayra Starr
Cardi B
Clipse
Gunna
Kehlani
Leon Thomas
Mariah the Scientist
Moliy
Tyla
Vybz Kartel
BEST MEDIA PERSONALITY
Bemi Orojuogun (Bus Aunty)
DJ AG
In My Opinion
Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe
Nadia Jae
Niko Omilana
PK Humble
Remi Burgz
Uche Natori
Winners Talking
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW/FILM
Aaron Pierre – Mufasa: The Lion King
Ashley Thomas – Hostage
Ashley Walters – Adolescence
Cynthia Erivo – Wicked
Damson Idris – F1
Dayo Koleosho – EastEnders
Lennie James – Mr Loverman
Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths
Stephen Graham – Adolescence
Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
BEST AFRICAN MUSIC ACT
Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Davido (Nigeria)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
Moliy (Ghana)
Rema (Nigeria)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
BEST CARIBBEAN MUSIC ACT
Ayetian
Lila Iké
Masicka
Shenseea
Vybz Kartel
Yung Bredda
BEST JAZZ ACT
CKTRL
Ego Ella May
Ezra Collective
Kokoroko
Nubya Garcia
Yazmin Lacey
BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ACT
FKA Twigs
Jazzy
Kilimanjaro
PinkPantheress
Salute
Sherelle
BEST GOSPEL ACT
Annatoria
DC3
Faith Child
Imrhan
Sondae
Still Shadey
BEST PRODUCER
Inflo
JAE5
Miles Clinton James
P2J
Sammy Soso
Zach Nahome
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