The MOBO Awards 2026 nominations were announced on Thursday and Olivia Dean and Little Simz are leading the pack with four nods apiece.
The 2026 event is set to take place on March 26 at Manchester’s Co op Live, marking the first time the ceremony has been held in the city as part of the MOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary.
Little Simz is nominated for Album of the Year (Lotus), Best Female Act, Best Hip Hop Act and Video of the Year for Flood.
Olivia Dean matches her with nominations for Album of the Year (The Art of Loving), Best Female Act, Best R’nB/Soul Act and Song of the Year for Man I Need.
Rising R’nB artist kwn appears in Best Newcomer, Best Female Act, Best R’n’B/Soul Act and Song of the Year for Do What I Say.
MOBO Awards 2026 nominations announced as Olivia Dean, (pictured) and Little Simz lead the pack with four nominations apiece
Little Simz is nominated for Album of the Year (Lotus), Best Female Act, Best Hip Hop Act and Video of the Year for Flood
Jim Legxacy completes the top group with nominations for Best Male Act, Best Newcomer, Song of the Year for 3X with Dave and Video of the Year for Father.
Central Cee, FLO, PinkPantheress and Skepta follow with three nominations each.
Central Cee is recognised for Album of the Year (Can’t Rush Greatness), Best Male Act and Best Hip Hop Act. FLO’s debut Access All Areas earns them a place in Album of the Year, alongside Best Female Act and Best R’n’B/Soul Act.
PinkPantheress appears in Best Female Act, Best Electronic/Dance Act and Song of the Year for Illegal.
Skepta is shortlisted for Best Male Act, Video of the Year for Back 2 Back and Song of the Year for Victory Lap.
The Best Newcomer category highlights 10 emerging acts, including EsDeeKid, Finessekid, YT, Skye Newman, DC3, Nia Smith, Namebliss and Sekou.
Central Cee, (pictured), FLO, PinkPantheress and Skepta follow with three nominations each.
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Cynthia Erivo has also received a nod for Best performance in a TV/Film for Wicked
The MOBO Awards also continue to recognise achievements in film and television.
Netflix’s Adolescence earns two nominations for Best Performance in a TV Show/Film, with Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham both shortlisted.
Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) and Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners) also receive nominations.
In the Best Media Personality category, nominees include DJ AG, TikTok creator Bemi Orojuogun (“Bus Aunty”), stylist Melissa Holdbrook Akposoe and the teams behind In My Opinion and Winners Talking.
International categories reflect the global reach of Black music, with Ayra Starr, Tyla and Moliy nominated for both Best African Music Act and Best International Act. Vybz Kartel appears in Best Caribbean Music Act and Best International Act.
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of MOBO Group, said: ‘As MOBO enters its 30th year, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary breadth of talent we have championed over the past three decades.
‘Time and again, artists have taken the recognition of a MOBO Award and transformed it into fuel for lasting success.
‘This year’s nominees are a powerful reflection of the culture and moment we are living in. Their voices matter — not only in how they soundtrack our lives, but in how they shape the future.
‘From sharp, socially conscious lyricism to boundary-pushing creativity that defies genre, this generation of artists is deeply connected to their communities.
‘The 2026 nominations represent one of the strongest and most diverse showcases of Black British music excellence we’ve seen in years.
‘Spanning R&B, dance-electronic, and experimental rap, what unites these artists is the power of their storytelling, their confidence and cultural impact. Congratulations to all our nominees — we can’t wait to celebrate with you in Manchester.’
Public voting is now open for select categories at voting.mobo.com.
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