Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Rema, and Adekunle Gold are among the Nigerian musicians nominated for the 2026 MOBO Awards.
The whole list of nominees for the MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) has been
made public in advance of the event, which will take place in a few months. The
MOBOs, which Kanya King founded in 1996, honor outstanding accomplishments in
Black-origin music, such as hip hop, grime, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz,
gospel, Afrobeats, and drill.
The awards have given Black artists in Europe
a mainstream platform over the past 30 years, assisting in the establishment
and maintenance of careers across continents. Nigerian talent is heavily
represented among the contenders this year as the MOBO Awards celebrate their
30th anniversary, demonstrating the nation's ongoing dominance in international
music. On March 26, 2026, the inaugural celebration honoring thirty years of
music, culture, and brilliance will be held in Manchester.
It's interesting to see that Ayra Starr, who received two nominations for Best
International Act and Best African Music Act, is in the lead for Nigeria. In
both categories, the celebrity joins peers from Africa, such as Tyla and Moliy.
We are excited to see if Ayra Starr, who won both prizes last year, can do the
same.
See the full list
of nominees below:
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 Ones 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 Feat. Jorja Smith – ‘crush’
·
Donae’o Feat. 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’ (Directed By Bas Haselager)
·
Fka Twigs – ‘eusexua’ (Directed By Jordan Hemingway)
·
Jim Legxacy – ‘father’ (Directed By Lauzza)
·
Little Simz – ‘flood’ Feat. Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly (Directed
By Salomon Ligthelm)
·
Raye – ‘where is my husband!’ (Directed By The Reids)
·
Skepta & Fred Again – ‘back 2 back’ (Directed By Domamanic And
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 (Melissa’s Wardrobe)
·
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
0 Comments