2025 Edition MOBO Awards: Nigerian Nominees Made The List

Nigerian artists Asake, Rema, Ayra Starr, Tems, Bnxn, Ruger, Shallipopi, and Odumodublvck have been nominated for the 2025 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards.

Tems, Ayra Starr, and Asake received nominations in the Best International Act category, where they will compete against global stars such as Beyoncé, Glorilla, Kendrick Lamar, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, and Tyla.

In the Best African Music Act category, Asake, Ayra Starr, Bnxn, Ruger, Odumodublvck, Rema, Shallipopi, and Tems are joined by South African artists Tyla and Uncle Waffles.

This year marks a historic change for the awards as the ceremony will be held in Newcastle for the first time. It is set to take place at the Utilita Arena on Tuesday, February 18.

Best Male Act

1. Bashy
2. Central Cee
3. D-Block Europe
4. Ghetts
5. Nemzzz
6. Sampha

 Best Female Act In Association With Got2b 

1. Cleo Sol
2. Darkoo
3. Jorja Smith
4. Little Simz
5. Nia Archives
6. Raye

 Album Of The Year

1. Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
2. Cleo Sol – Gold 
3. Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose
4. Jorja Smith – Falling Or Flying
5. Sampha – Lahai
6. Skrapz – Reflection

 Song Of The Year

1. Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – Band4Band
2. Chase & Status, Stormzy – Backbone
3. Darkoo Feat. Dess Dior – Favourite Girl
4. Jordan Adetunji – Kehlani
5. Leostaytrill – Pink Lemonade
6. Odeal – Soh-Soh

 Best Newcomer

1. Chy Cartier
2. Elmiene
3. Fimiguerrero
4. Flowerovlove
5. Jordan Adetunji
6. Len 
7. Leostaytrill
8. Myles Smith
9. Odeal
10. Pozer

 Video Of The Year In Association With Lner

1. Meekz – Mini Me’s (Directed By Kc Locke)
2. Mnelia –  My Man (Directed By Femi Bello)
3. Raye – Genesis (Directed By Otis Dominique & Raye)
4. Sampha – Only (Directed By Dexter Navy)
5. Skepta – Gas Me Up (Diligent) (Directed By Steveo) 
6. Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – Hocus Pocus (Directed By Felix Brady)

Best R&B/Soul Act Supported By Kiss Fm 

1. Cleo Sol
2. Elmiene
3. Flo
4. Jaz Karis
5. Jorja Smith
6. Nippa
7. Odeal
8. Sasha Keable
9. Shae Universe
10. Sinead Harnett

 Best Alternative Music Act In Association With Marshall

1. Alt Blk Era
2. Bob Vylan
3. Hak Baker
4. Kid Bookie
5. Native James
6. Spider

 Best Grime Act Supported By Trench

1. Chip
2. D Double E
3. Duppy
4. Kruz Leone
5. Manga Saint Hilare
6. Scorcher

 Best Hip Hop Act Supported By Bbc Radio 1Xtra

1. Bashy
2. Cristale
3. Headie One
4. Nines
5. Potter Payper
6. Skrapz

 Best Drill Act

1. 163margs
2. Central Cee
3. Headie One
4. Kairo Keyz
5. K-Trap
6. Pozer

 Best International Act

1. Asake
2. Ayra Starr
3. Beyonce
4. Glorilla
5. Kendrick Lamar
6. Latto
7. Megan Thee Stallion
8. Nicki Minaj
9. Tems 
10. Tyla

 Best Performance In A Tv Show/Film 

1. Angela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In Eastenders
2. Caroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book Ii: Ghost
3. Diane Parish As Denise Fox In Eastenders
4. Dionne Brown As Queenie In Queenie
5. Ghetts As Krazy In Supacell 
6. Jacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The Vampire
7. Jasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top Boy
8. Josh Tedeku As Tazer In Supacell
9. Kingsley Ben-Adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One Love
10. Tosin Cole As Michael In Supacell

 Best Media Personality

1. 90’s Baby Show
2. Aj Odudu
3. Chuckie Online
4. Craig Mitch
5. Henrie Kwushue
6. Madame Joyce
7. Micah Richards
8. Specs Gonzalez
9. The Receipts Podcast
10. Zeze Millz

 Best African Music Act In Association With Loco Music 

1. Asake (Nigeria)
2. Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
3. Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria)
4. King Promise (Ghana)
5. Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
6. Rema (Nigeria)
7. Shallipopi (Nigeria)
8. Tems (Nigeria)
9. Tyla (South Africa)
10. Uncle Waffles (South Africa)

 Best Caribbean Music Act

1. Popcaan
2. Shenseea
3. Skillibeng
4. Spice
5. Valiant
6. Yg Marley

 Best Jazz Act

1. Amy Gadiaga
2. Blue Lab Beats
3. Ego Ella May
4. Ezra Collective
5. Kokoroko
6. Yussef Dayes

 Best Electronic/Dance Act Supported By Mixmag

1. Eliza Rose
2. Nia Archives
3. Pinkpantheress
4. Salute
5. Shygirl
6. Tsha

 Best Producer

1. Ceebeaats
2. Inflo
3. Juls
4. M1onthebeat
5. P2j 
6. Sammy Soso

 Best Gospel Act Supported By Premier Gospel

1. Annatoria
2. Imrhan
3. Limoblaze
4. Reblah
5. Still Shadey
6. Volney Morgan & New Ye