Olivia Dean, Jim Legxacy, RAYE and Central Cee are amongst the top winners at the MOBO Awards 2026 last night in Manchester
Hosted by Eve and Eddie Kadi, the MOBO Awards 2026 brought the party from Manchester’s Co-op Live to the world with an unparalleled evening of live music with legends, global and homegrown music stars – befitting of a celebration to mark 30 years of the MOBO Organisation.
The star-studded ceremony brought together cultural forces from the world of music, sport and entertainment, including Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers, Denise Lewis DBE, Tinie Tempah, Alesha Dixon, Stephen Graham, and more.
Olivia Dean scooped three major awards – Album of The Year in association with Amazon Music for The Art of Loving, Song of The Year in association with 1664 Bière for ‘Man I Need’, and Best Female Act in association with got2b. The captivating, chart-topping British singer-songwriter is unquestionably one of the UK’s hottest global music stars right now and the acknowledgement from MOBO is further testament to her undeniable talent and momentum.
Lewisham-born rapper, singer and producer Jim Legxacy won Best Male Act in association with Prostate Cancer UK and stands out as one of the most hotly-tipped artists this year with four nominations. Jim’s critically-acclaimed 2025 album black british music reshaped expectations of what UK music can sound like and positioned him at the helm of a movement; a new generation of storytellers and pioneers carving a path out of the comfort of the underground. His songwriting holds a mirror up to the Black British experience while creating space for complexity, sensitivity and experimentation.
RAYE won Video of The Year in association with VEVO for ‘Where Is My Husband!’, directed by The Reids. This is the first major award win for RAYE’s latest chapter in music, landing serendipitously on the night before the release of her second album This Music May Contain Hope.
Central Cee – already one of the most decorated rappers in MOBO history – won Best Hip Hop Act, his eighth MOBO trophy. FLO celebrated their first MOBO win, taking home Best R&B/Soul Act in association with Huda Beauty. Elsewhere, critically-lauded group Ezra Collective won Best Jazz Act and Stephen Graham won Best Performance in a TV Show / Film for Adolescence.
Teen Christian rap sensation DC3, who has unleashed a string of tracks that have gone viral on social media, wins two MOBO Awards – the coveted Best Newcomer, which has long been one of the UK industry’s best early indicators of the next breakout stars, and Best Gospel Act supported by Premier Gospel.
Chip wins Best Grime Act supported by TRENCH, rounding off a triumphant year with his much-buzzed about album Grime Scene Saviour, further cementing a moment in time of another cultural crescendo for the genre. This marks a full circle moment for Chip, who won Best Grime Act 10 years ago. The latest triumph brings his total MOBO trophy tally to five, since winning Best Newcomer in 2008 when he was just 16.
More incredible talent showcasing the breadth of Black music and culture were celebrated: Nova Twins won Best Alternative Act, Sherelle won Best Electronic/Dance Act supported by BEMA & Mixmag, Twin S won Best Drill Act, Wizkid won Best African Music Act, Ayra Starr won Best International Act for the second consecutive year, Vybz Kartel won Best Caribbean Music Act, YouTuber Niko Ominala won Best Media Personality, and P2J won Best Producer.
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of the MOBO Group, said: “Thirty years ago, the MOBO Organisation was born out of a desire to create space where there was none – to recognise, celebrate and elevate Black music and culture . Tonight in Manchester, we’ve seen just how far that vision has come. From global icons to the next generation of trailblazers, this stage continues to be a home for excellence, creativity and truth. This isn’t just a celebration of the past – it’s a statement about the future. MOBO remains an important platform , and we are more committed than ever to opening doors, breaking barriers and championing the voices that shape culture around the world.”
