THE UK’S BIGGEST CELEBRATION OF BLACK MUSIC & CULTURE
2025 MOBO AWARDS: NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR
NEWCASTLE CEREMONY
18 FEBRUARY 2025
LIVE FROM UTILITA ARENA NEWCASTLE
VISIT MOBO.COM/TICKETS FOR TICKETS
JORJA SMITH, SAMPHA, BASHY, GHETTS, CLEO SOL, CENTRAL CEE AND ODEAL
SHINE WITH THREE NOMINATIONS EACH
BASHY MAKES A TRIUMPHANT RETURN WITH ALBUM OF THE YEAR NOMINATION AFTER 15-YEAR HIATUS
BRITISH R&B SCENE TAKES CENTRE STAGE WITH STELLAR NOMINATIONS AT
2025 MOBO AWARDS
NETFLIX’S SUPACELL AND BBC’S EASTENDERS STARS SHINE WITH MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS ACROSS TV AND FILM CATEGORY
Wednesday 4 December 2024: The MOBO Awards, the UK’s premier celebration of Black music and culture, proudly announce the nominees across 20 categories for their 2025 edition. For the first time, the iconic ceremony will take place in Newcastle at the Utilita Arena on Tuesday 18 February. Tickets are on sale now.
For nearly three decades, MOBO has celebrated established stars and some of the fastest-rising talent in music and the 2025 edition once again shows that breadth.
The British R&B scene shines brightly this year, with triple MOBO nominees Jorja Smith and Cleo Sol leading the charge. This year, got2b is the official sponsor of the hotly contested Best Female Act category, as well as the MOBO Awards’ Official Hair Styling Partner, and both stars are nominated in the category, and for Album of The Year and Best R&B/Soul Act supported by Kiss FM.
Sampha topped the UK R&B charts with his second album, Lahai, and is nominated by MOBO for Best Male Act and Album of The Year and his music video ‘Only’, directed by Dexter Navy, has been shortlisted for Video of the Year in Association with LNER – MOBO is proud to announce that LNER (London North Eastern Railway) is the Official Travel Partner for the awards.
Also nominated for three awards each are Central Cee, Bashy, Ghetts and Odeal. Central Cee now attracts more than 25 million monthly streams, and 2024 saw the release of singles including ‘BAND4BAND’ featuring Lil Baby, which receives a Song of the Year. A debut studio album, Can’t Rush Greatness, is due in 2025. Having won Best Male Act for the last two years, he is nominated once again, as well as being up for Best Drill Act.
While rooted in music, the MOBO Awards also spotlight cultural contributions. This year, Netflix’s hit series Supacell sees Best Performance In a TV Show/Film nominations for Ghetts for his role as Krazy, as well as for Josh Tedeku, who plays Tazer, and Tosin Cole as Michael. EastEnders picks up nominations in the same category for Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman and Diane Parish as Denise Fox. These nominations showcase the breadth of diverse talent across TV and film, highlighting the richness of creative storytelling and the depth and diversity of talent shaping today’s TV and film industry.
Having built a successful acting career, including his role as Jermaine Newton in Top Boy, Ashley Thomas, aka Bashy, returned to music with his first studio album in 15 years. The record, Being Poor Is Expensive, is an intimate look back at his childhood and earns him nominations for Best Male Act, Best Hip Hop Act and Album of The Year.
After a stunning year in her career, RAYE is nominated twice and has a chance of a second win in a row in Best Female Act in association with got2b.
At the heart of MOBO’s mission is championing emerging talent. This year, MOBO UnSung alumni Jordan Adetunji, who has had a big year with his track ‘KEHLANI’ clocking up more than 275 million streams after going viral on TikTok, picks up two nominations for Best Newcomer and Song of The Year. MOBO UnSung Top 20 finalist, Native James, is shortlisted for Best Alternative Music Act in association with Marshall, reflecting the UnSung programme’s enduring impact on the industry.
The MOBO Awards celebrate the most exciting artists in the world today in categories including Best Caribbean Music, as well as Best Jazz Act and Best Gospel Act supported by Premier Gospel.
Both Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, are among the nominees for Best International Act but the year has been notable for the rise of a number of female African stars, with Ayra Starr, Tems and Tyla all nominated in both Best African Music Act in Association with Loco Music and the Best International Act category.
Marshall, the premier amplifier company, returns for a third year to sponsor Best Alternative Act. Loco Music, a Cape Verdean music company, is once again sponsoring the Best African Music Act category. This year, got2b is the Official Hair Styling Partner and also the sponsor of the hotly contested Best Female Act category.
MOBO Founder Kanya King CBE said: “Each and every time we unveil the MOBO Awards nominations, I am taken aback by the sheer amount of incredible talent we have in the UK. It inspires us all to continue pushing the industry to be more inclusive of a greater variety of Black music and culture. The music coming out of the UK this past year has been some of the best we have had in years. These distinct, uncompromising voices – across different genres from R&B and Soul to Grime, Hip-Hop to Jazz and Alternative – are not just soundtracks for our days. They provide healing and reflection, and also escapism in times of need. For several years now we have also seen the growth of our MOBO UnSung talent programme, as it continues to be a beacon for spotlighting and empowering emerging artists. Some of the artists tipped by UnSung have gone on to achieve great things and we’re so proud to be following their journey, and celebrating their success. A huge congratulations to all our nominees across music, film and television, and entertainment. We look forward to welcoming you in Newcastle!”
Since its inaugural ceremony in 1996 at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms, MOBO Awards has become a calendar staple in the UK and its iconic trophy is now one of the highest accolades in music. The Awards have honoured music stars such as Central Cee, Stormzy, Janet Jackson, Little Simz, Davido, Rihanna, RAYE, Wizkid, Beyoncé and Jay Z, while also helping to elevate the careers of rising stars in the industry.
The impact of the MOBO Group extends far beyond the annual awards show. MOBO is deeply committed to promoting social change and inclusion, supporting the development of young talent, and advocating for diversity across the entertainment industry and beyond. Through mentorship programmes, partnerships with educational and charitable organisations, and career development opportunities with leading organisations, MOBO has been a driving force for positive change.
By championing creativity, providing platforms for new voices, and advocating for equality, the MOBO Awards and the wider MOBO Group continue to inspire and empower talents and communities across the UK and beyond.
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