Olivia Dean triumphs as Pharrell Williams and Slick Rick honoured at 30th Anniversary MOBO Awards
The event took place in Manchester on 26th March
Last updated 27th Mar 2026
Marking 30 years of championing Black music and culture, the MOBO Awards returned to Manchester’s Co-op Live for a star-studded anniversary celebration.
Olivia Dean dominated the 2026 MOBOs Album of the Year for 'The Art of Loving', Song of the Year for 'Man I Need' and Best Female Act; while Jim Legxacy took Best Male Act. Further major winners included RAYE (Video of the Year), Central Cee (Best Hip Hop), FLO (Best R&B/Soul), DC3 (Best Newcomer and Best Gospel), Ezra Collective (Best Jazz) and Stephen Graham (Best TV/Film Performance).
International and genre honours went to Wizkid, Ayra Starr, Nova Twins, Sherelle, Twin S, Vybz Kartel, Niko Omilana and P2J. Pharrell Williams received the MOBO Global Songwriter Award, while Slick Rick was honoured with the MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award.
What are the MOBO Awards?
First established in 1996, the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards are hosted annually in Britain to recognise achievements in black music. The awards celebrate a variety of musical genres, including hip hop, grime, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and African music.
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of MOBO Group said: “For 30 years, MOBO has been more than an awards show – it has been a movement, shaping culture, championing creativity, and opening doors for generations of talent. This milestone is a reminder that when you celebrate culture, you don’t just preserve history – you shape the future.
"Three decades on, the MOBO Awards remain a powerful reminder of how music can inspire, unite, and transform lives. Manchester has always been a city of music and movement, and now, together with MOBO, we will write the next chapter of cultural history.”
Where did it take place?
For the first time in MOBO history, Europe’s biggest and most influential celebration of Black music and culture took take place at the Co-Op Live in Manchester.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "We're honoured to have been chosen by MOBO to host their awards in what is such a special year for them as they mark an incredible 30 years of celebrating Black music and culture. As a proudly diverse city that is known the world over as a city of music, creativity and talent, the MOBOs and Manchester are made for each other.
"We have a lot of expertise as a city in delivering world class events with a global reach, and together with our partners at Co-op Live and across the city we're determined to do everything we can to support MOBO in making sure next year's event hits all the right notes and is the very best one yet.
"Recognising and supporting emerging talent and our grassroots music scene in Manchester is also really important to us and we're looking forward to collaborating with MOBO on the MOBO Fringe Festival which is set to provide some amazing and unmissable opportunities for young musicians and others to gain experience, learn from, get involved in and enjoy."
Who were the winners?
This year’s MOBO winners spotlight a mix of established names and breakthrough talent, celebrating the best in Black British music and culture across 20 categories.
Olivia Dean, Jim Legxacy, Central Cee, FLO, DC3 and RAYE lead this year’s MOBO winners, with Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Ezra Collective and more also taking home major awards.
Read the full list of winners and nominees below:
Best Male Act in association with Prostate Cancer UK
Central Cee
ElMiene
Jim Legxacy - WINNER
Nemzzz
Odeal
Skepta
Best Female Act in association with got2b
FLO
KWN
Little Simz
Olivia Dean - WINNER
PinkPantheress
Sasha Keable
Album of the Year in association with Amazon Music
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 - WINNER
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 - WINNER
PinkPantheress - illegal
Raye - where is my husband!
Tim Duzit - kat slater
Best Newcomer
DC3 - WINNER
EsdeeKid
FinesseKid
Jim Legxacy
KWN
NamesBliss
Nia Smith
Sekou
Skye Newman
YT
Video of the Year in association with Vevo
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) - WINNER
Skepta & Fred again - back 2 back (directed by Domamanic and Skepta)
Best R&B/Soul Act
ElMiene
FLO - WINNER
KWN
Odeal
Olivia Dean
Sasha Keable
Best Alternative Music Act
Alt Blk Era
Blood Orange
Hak Baker
Michael Kiwanuka
Nova Twins - WINNER
Rachel Chinouriri
Best Grime Act supported by Trench
Chip
Jayahadadream
Kasst 8
Ruff Sqwad
Scorcher
Wiley
Best Hip Hop Act
Aitch
Asco
Catch
Central Cee - WINNER
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 - WINNER
Wohdee
Best International Act
Ayra Starr - WINNER
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 - WINNER
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 - WINNER
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) - WINNER
Best Caribbean Music Act
Ayetian
Lila Iké
Masicka
Shenseea
Vybz Kartel - WINNER
Yung Bredda
Best Jazz Act
CKTRL
Ego Ella May
Ezra Collective
Kokoroko
Nubya Garcia
Yazmin Lacey
Best Electronic/Dance Act supported by BEMA & Mixmag
FKA twigs
Jazzy
Kilimanjaro
PinkPantheress
Salute
Sherelle - WINNER
Best Gospel Act supported by Premier Gospel
Annatoria
DC3 - WINNER
Faith Child
Imrhan
Sondae
Still Shadey
Best Producer
Inflo
JAE5
Miles Clinton James
P2J - WINNER
Sammy Soso
Zach Nahome
Who performed?
Live performances on the night came from Olivia Dean, FLO, Slick Rick and Estelle, Tiwa Savage, Aitch, Myles Smith and Shenseea.
There was also a ‘MOBO Salutes: Grime 25’ medley featuring Chip, D Double E, Nolay, Scorcher and Wiley curated by DJ Target.
Who hosted the show?
American rapper and singer Eve, and comedian and broadcaster Eddie Kadi co-hosted the ceremony.
Speaking before the show in a press release, Eve said: “I’m so excited to be co-hosting the MOBO Awards in this big 30th anniversary year. Even though our journeys started around the same time across the Atlantic from each other, we have our shared love for music and the culture, and in making sure we continue to have spaces that celebrate talent and share our stories. Manchester, I hope you’re ready because we have an amazing night planned for you.”
How can I watch it?
The ceremony was streamed live on Amazon Music UK's Twitch account on 26th March 2026 at 8pm. Performances and highlights are available to view on the official MOBO Awards YouTube channel.
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