The MOBO Awards, which celebrate Black music and culture, will celebrate a diverse range of talent at their 2025 ceremony, scheduled to take place in Newcastle for the first time on February 18. Since their inception in 1996, the MOBOs have consistently spotlighted both seasoned icons and emerging stars, making them a vital part of the music industry’s calendar.

The three leading nominations come from Ghetts, Jorja Smith, and Central Cee, all of whom have been nominated for three categories. They are accompanied by a list of other artists that include Sampha, Bashy, Cleo Sol, and Odeal, each of whom has contributed to the music industry within the past year. Raye was nominated for two awards, having won six at the Brit Awards earlier in 2024. International heavyweights Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, and Tyla are all vying for the coveted Best International Act category. This also marks a big return for Bashy, who is known more for his role as Jermaine Newton in Top Boy.

After a 15-year break away from music, Bashy’s newest album, Being Poor Is Expensive, reflects on childhood experiences and has him nominated for Best Male Act, Best Hip-Hop Act, and Album of the Year. But in the album category, there is stiff competition with some of the nominees being Cleo Sol’s Gold, Ghetts’s On Purpose, With Purpose, Jorja Smith’s Falling Or Flying, Sampha’s Lahai, and Skrapz’s Reflection. Other competitors for Best Female Act are Cleo Sol and Jorja Smith, against Raye, Little Simz, Darkoo, and Nia Archives. Best Male, however, will see the likes of Bashy, Central Cee, D-Block Europe, Ghetts, Nemzz, and Sampha.

Central Cee has been winning Best Male Act consecutively for two years and looks to carry on that form. He also got nods in Best Drill Act and Song of the Year through his track Band4Band, which is an appearance alongside Lil Baby. The Song of the Year will include Band4Band from Central Cee with contenders Backbone from Chase & Status and Stormzy, Darkoo with Favourite Girl, Dess Dior; Kehlani from Jordan Adetunji; Pink Lemonade by LeoStayTrill; and Soh-Soh from Odeal. Beyond these major genres, the MOBOs continue to shed light on black music’s great diversity. Candidates for the awards include in the genre-specific categories those such as Best Hip Hop, Best Electronic and Dance, and Best Alternative Act: Headie One and Nines, PinkPantheress, Bob Vylan, and Shygirl. The awards ceremony also highlights contributions outside of music that spill into film and television. Netflix’s Supacell has nominations for the cast, which includes Ghetts playing Krazy, Josh Tedeku as Tazer, and Tosin Cole as Michael. EastEnders is also included in some nominations with Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman and Diane Parish as Denise Fox. Jasmine Jobson as part of Top Boy also features in this shortlist.

The MOBO Awards remain a vital platform for celebrating the achievements of Black artists across a variety of mediums. With an exciting lineup of nominees and Newcastle set to host for the first time, the 2025 ceremony promises to be a memorable evening. The event will take place at the Utilita Arena, bringing together artists, fans, and industry insiders to honor the very best in Black music and culture.