MOBO Awards 2025 nominations announced - Will Central Cee win Best Male Act for a third year?

The nominations for next year’s MOBO Awards, which celebrate Black music and culture, have been revealed.

The awards have been running since 1996 and the 27th edition of the annual ceremony will take place in Newcastle for the first time in February.

From established names to up-and-coming talent, this year’s nominees are led by Jorja Smith, Sampha, Cleo Sol, Ghetts and Central Cee, who all tally three nominations.

Central Cee is aiming to take home the Best Male Act gong for the third year in a row - and is also shortlisted for catergories including Best Drill Act and Song of the Year.

Record-breaking artist RAYE, who deservedly took home the award for Best Female Act last year, is up for two awards, joining Little Simz this year for Best Female Act.

Elsewhere, Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj are among the artists in the running for Best International Act.

Film and TV contributions are also recognised - with actors from from the crime drama series Top Boy, soap opera EastEnders, the very sexy Interview With The Vampire, and the Netflix series Supacell all getting nods. 

Here is the full list of nominees for the MOBO Awards 2025:  

Best Male Act 

Bashy 

Central Cee 

D-Block Europe 

Ghetts 

Nemzzz 

Sampha 

Best Female Act In Association With Got2b 

Cleo Sol 

Darkoo 

Jorja Smith 

Little Simz 

Nia Archives 

RAYE

Album Of The Year 

Bashy – ‘Being Poor Is Expensive’ 

Cleo Sol – ‘Gold’ 

Ghetts – ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’ 

Jorja Smith – ‘Falling Or Flying’ 

Sampha – ‘Lahai’ 

Skrapz – ‘Reflection’ 

Song Of The Year 

Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – ‘Band4band’ 

Chase & Status, Stormzy – ‘Backbone’ 

Darkoo Feat. Dess Dior – ‘Favourite Girl’ 

Jordan Adetunji – ‘Kehlani’ 

Leostaytrill – ‘Pink Lemonade’ 

Odeal – ‘Soh-soh’ 

Best Newcomer

Chy Cartier 

Elmiene 

Fimiguerrero 

Flowerovlove 

Jordan Adetunji 

Len 

Leostaytrill 

Myles Smith 

Odeal 

Pozer 

Video Of The Year In Association With LNER 

Meekz – ‘Mini Me’s’ (Directed By Kc Locke) 

Mnelia – ‘My Man’ (Directed By Femi Bello) 

RAYE – ‘Genesis’ (Directed By Otis Dominique & Raye) 

Sampha – ‘Only’ (Directed By Dexter Navy) 

Skepta – ‘Gas Me Up (Diligent)’ (Directed By Steveo) 

Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – ‘Hocus Pocus’ (Directed By Felix Brady) 

Best R&B/Soul Act Supported By Kiss Fm 

Cleo Sol 

Elmiene 

Flo 

Jaz Karis 

Jorja Smith 

Nippa 

Odeal 

Sasha Keable 

Shae Universe 

Sinead Harnett 

Best Alternative Music Act In Association With Marshall 

ALT BLK ERA 

Bob Vylan 

Hak Baker 

Kid Bookie 

Native James 

Spider 

Best Grime Act Supported By Trench 

Chip 

D Double E 

Duppy 

Kruz Leone 

Manga Saint Hilare 

Scorcher 

Best Hip Hop Act Supported By Bbc Radio 1xtra 

Bashy 

Cristale 

Headie One 

Nines 

Potter Payper 

Skrapz 

Best Drill Act 

163Margs 

Central Cee 

Headie One 

Kairo Keyz 

K-trap 

Pozer 

Best International Act 

Asake 

Ayra Starr 

Beyoncé 

GloRilla 

Kendrick Lamar 

Latto 

Megan Thee Stallion 

Nicki Minaj 

Tems 

Tyla 

Best Performance In A TV Show/Film 

Angela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In Eastenders 

Caroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book II: Ghost 

Diane Parish As Denise Fox In Eastenders 

Dionne Brown As Queenie In Queenie 

Ghetts As Krazy In Supacell 

Jacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The Vampire 

Jasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top Boy 

Josh Tedeku As Tazer In Supacell 

Kingsley Ben-adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One Love 

Tosin Cole As Michael In Supacell 

Best Media Personality 

90’s Baby Show 

AJ Odudu 

Chuckie Online 

Craig Mitch 

Henrie Kwushue 

Madame Joyce 

Micah Richards 

Specs Gonzalez 

The Receipts Podcast 

Zeze Millz 

Best African Music Act In Association With Loco Music 

Asake (Nigeria) 

Ayra Starr (Nigeria) 

Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria) 

King Promise (Ghana) 

Odumodublvck (Nigeria) 

Rema (Nigeria) 

Shallipopi (Nigeria) 

Tems (Nigeria) 

Tyla (South Africa) 

Uncle Waffles (South Africa) 

Best Caribbean Music Act 

Popcaan 

Shenseea 

Skillibeng 

Spice 

Valiant 

Yg Marley 

Best Jazz Act 

Amy Gadiaga 

Blue Lab Beats 

Ego Ella May 

Ezra Collective 

Kokoroko 

Yussef Dayes 

Best Electronic/Dance Act Supported By Mixmag 

Eliza Rose 

Nia Archives 

Pinkpantheress 

Salute 

Shygirl 

Tsha 

Best Producer 

Ceebeaats 

Inflo 

Juls 

M1onthebeat 

P2j 

Sammy Soso 

Best Gospel Act Supported By Premier Gospel 

Annatoria 

Imrhan 

Limoblaze 

Reblah 

Still Shadey 

Volney Morgan & New Ye 

The MOBO Awards take place at Newcastle's Utilita Arena on 18 February 2025.