Nova Twins, NAO, Darkoo Among MOBO Awards Performers

The MOBO Awards just announced the second wave of performers for the Feb. 18 ceremony at Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England. The lineup now consists of Nova Twins, NAO, DJ Ace, Odeal, Darkoo, DJ AG, Pozer, LeoStayTrill, Jaz Karis, Sasha Keable, Shae Universe, and UK R&B royalty Shola Ama.

Many performers are up for one or multiple awards themselves: Odeal, for instance, has a shot at Best R&B/Soul Act, Best Newcomer, and Song of the Year for “Soh-Soh.”

Darkoo, having kicked off 2025 with her the single “Focus On Me (All The Sexy Girls In The Club),” is nominated for Best Female Act, and Song Of The Year for “Favourite Girl” feat. Dess Dior.

Pozer is nominated for Best Newcomer, as well as Best Drill Act; LeoStayTrill also has a Best Newcomer nomination, and is also among the Song of the Year nominees with “Pink Lemonade.”

Jaz Karis, Sasha Keabl, and Shae Universe are all nominated as Best R&B/Soul Act.

Other 2025 MOBO Award nominees include Jorja Smith, Sampha, Bashy, Ghetts, Cleo Sol, Central Cee, who, like Odeal, all shine with three nominations each. Full list of 2025 MOBO Award nominees below.

Bashy’s nominations include one for Album of The Year, which is remarkable, seeing that the record in question, Being Poor Is Expensive, is his first studio album in 15 years.

RAYE, who is nominated twice, has a chance of a second win in a row as Best Female Act. She’s also nominated for Video of the Year for “Genesis,” which she co-directed alongside Otis Domninique.

Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Ayra Starr, Asake, Glorilla, and more are nominated in the international artist category. There are also dedicated categories for artists from Africa, as well as the Caribbean.

Since 1996, MOBO has celebrated established stars, and some of the fastest-rising talent in music. While rooted in music, the MOBO Awards also spotlight cultural contributions across TV and film.

2025 Mobo Awards Nominations:

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
Fimiguerrer
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
Beyonce
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

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