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
AsakeAyra StarrBeyonceGlorillaKendrick LamarLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajTemsTyla
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
BashyCentral CeeD-Block EuropeGhettsNemzzzSampha
Best female act
Cleo SolDarkooJorja SmithLittle SimzNia ArchivesRaye
Album of the year
Bashy – Being Poor Is ExpensiveCleo Sol – GoldGhetts – On Purpose, With PurposeJorja Smith – Falling Or FlyingSampha – LahaiSkrapz – Reflection
Song of the Year
Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – Band4bandChase & Status, Stormzy – BackboneDarkoo Feat. Dess Dior – Favourite GirlJordan Adetunji – KehlaniLeostaytrill – Pink LemonadeOdeal – Soh-Soh
Best newcomer
Chy CartierElmieneFimiguerreroFlowerovloveJordan AdetunjiLenLeostaytrillMyles SmithOdealPozer
Video of the year
Meekz – Mini Me’sMnelia – My ManRaye – GenesisSampha – OnlySkepta – Gas Me Up (Diligent)Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – Hocus Pocus
Best R&B/soul act
Cleo SolElmieneFloJaz KarisJorja SmithNippaOdealSasha KeableShae UniverseSinead Harnett
Best grime act
ChipD Double EDuppyKruz LeoneManga Saint HilareScorcher
Best hip-hop act
BashyCristaleHeadie OneNinesPotter PayperSkrapz
Best drill act
163MargsCentral CeeHeadie OneKairo KeyzK-TrapPozer
Best performance in a TV show/film
Angela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In EastendersCaroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book Ii: GhostDiane Parish As Denise Fox In EastendersDionne Brown As Queenie In QueenieGhetts As Krazy In SupacellJacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The VampireJasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top BoyJosh Tedeku As Tazer In SupacellKingsley Ben-Adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One LoveTosin Cole As Michael In Supacell
Best media personality
90’s Baby ShowAJ OduduChuckie OnlineCraig MitchHenrie KwushueMadame JoyceMicah RichardsSpecs GonzalezThe Receipts PodcastZeze Millz
Best Caribbean music act
PopcaanShenseeaSkillibengSpiceValiantYg Marley
Best Jazz act
Amy GadiagaBlue Lab BeatsEgo Ella MayEzra CollectiveKokorokoYussef Dayes
Best Alternative Music act
Alt Blk EraBob VylanHak BakerKid BookieNative JamesSpider
Best Electronic/Dance act
Eliza RoseNia ArchivesPinkpantheressSaluteShygirlTsha
Best Producer
CeebeaatsInfloJulsM1OnTheBeatP2JSammy Soso
Best Gospel act
AnnatoriaImrhanLimoblazeReblahStill ShadeyVolney Morgan & New Ye
Get updates as they drop via Twitter and Facebook
