The nominees for the 2025 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards have been announced, and Nigerian singers are prominently featured in several categories.
Asake, Tems, and Ayra Starr have all been nominated for the prestigious Best International Act award, where they will compete against global superstars such as Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, and Megan Thee Stallion.
The MOBO Awards, scheduled to take place on February 18, 2025, will also feature a Best African Music Act category, which is dominated by Nigerian music stars. Asake, Ayra Starr, BNXN & Ruger, Odumodublvck, Rema, Shallipopi, and Tems are all vying for the top spot, alongside South African singers Tyla and Uncle Waffles, as well as Ghana’s King Promise.
Additionally, the MOBO Awards organizers took to Instagram to announce the nominees, describing them as “global stars shining bright.” Lastly, the recognition is proof of the growing influence and popularity of African music on the global stage.
Here’s the full list of nominees for the MOBO Awards 2025:
Best international act
- Asake
- Ayra Starr
- Beyonce
- Glorilla
- Kendrick Lamar
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
- Tems
- Tyla
Best African music act
- 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 male act
- Bashy
- Central Cee
- D-Block Europe
- Ghetts
- Nemzzz
- Sampha
Best female act
- 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
- Meekz – Mini Me’s
- Mnelia – My Man
- Raye – Genesis
- Sampha – Only
- Skepta – Gas Me Up (Diligent)
- Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – Hocus Pocus
Best R&B/soul act
- Cleo Sol
- Elmiene
- Flo
- Jaz Karis
- Jorja Smith
- Nippa
- Odeal
- Sasha Keable
- Shae Universe
- Sinead Harnett
Best grime act
- Chip
- D Double E
- Duppy
- Kruz Leone
- Manga Saint Hilare
- Scorcher
Best hip-hop act
- Bashy
- Cristale
- Headie One
- Nines
- Potter Payper
- Skrapz
Best drill act
- 163Margs
- Central Cee
- Headie One
- Kairo Keyz
- K-Trap
- Pozer
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 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 Alternative Music act
- Alt Blk Era
- Bob Vylan
- Hak Baker
- Kid Bookie
- Native James
- Spider
Best Electronic/Dance act
- Eliza Rose
- Nia Archives
- Pinkpantheress
- Salute
- Shygirl
- Tsha
Best Producer
- Ceebeaats
- Inflo
- Juls
- M1OnTheBeat
- P2J
- Sammy Soso
Best Gospel act
- Annatoria
- Imrhan
- Limoblaze
- Reblah
- Still Shadey
- Volney Morgan & New Ye
