Di 2026 MOBO Awards don come and go, and di celebration of black music and culture for Manchester na big talk wey dey for everybody mouth. Dis year na special one because e be di 30th anniversary of di awards wey Kanya King start, and for di first time, di ceremony hold for Manchester Co-op Live Arena. Di event wey happen on Thursday, March 26, 2026, show say black music still dey reign supreme across di world.
For di night, London-born singer Olivia Dean emerge as di biggest winner, carry three awards go house. She win Song of di Year for her single “Man I Need,” Album of di Year for “The Art of Loving,” and Best Female Act. Dis win follow her recent success for di BRIT Awards wey she win four awards last month. As she collect di Best Female Act award, Dean talk say she dey “so proud to be a black British female artist.” She dedicate di Album of di Year award to author bell hooks and “all di black feminists wey inspire me to love better.”
For di international scene, Nigerian music star Ayra Starr make history again by winning Best International Act for di second year straight. Di Mavin Records artist become di only female artist to join Wizkid and Burna Boy as multiple-time winners of dis prestigious category. She beat top global contenders like Cardi B, Gunna, Kehlani, Tyla, Mariah di Scientist, Clipse, and Vybz Kartel. However, for di Best African Music Act category, Ayra Starr lose to her fellow Nigerian superstar Wizkid, wey carry di award go house.
British-Nigerian media personality Niko Omilana also win big for di night as e carry home di Best Media Personality award. Di YouTuber and content creator beat other nominees like Bemi Orojuogun (Bus Aunty) and DJ Remi Burgz. For di acting category, Stephen Graham win Best Performance in a TV Show/Film for his role for “Adolescence.”
Di lifetime achievement award go to British-American rapper and record producer Slick Rick. As e collect di award, di Surrey-born, New York-raised artist talk say “every step, story and silence in-between bring me to dis moment.” He perform collaborative set with singer Estelle to showcase his hip hop journey. Estelle, wey dey speak ahead of di show, talk say e dey “amazing” to dey Manchester for di first time for di ceremony history.
American musician Pharrell Williams receive di global songwriter award. Nile Rodgers present di award and talk say Williams don “change my life.” Williams pay tribute to MOBOs founder Kanya King, referencing her battle against cancer and how she never stop working. Manchester-based singer-songwriter Daley, wey collaborate with Williams on di 2014 song “Look Up,” talk say Williams “really taps into what di feeling of di song is” and deserve di award well well.
Teenage rapper DC3 have big night as e win two awards: Best Newcomer and Best Gospel Act. Di Northampton-born artist tear up as e accept di Best Newcomer award and talk say “Jesus Christ is real.” For di jazz category, Ezra Collective win Best Jazz Act. Drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso talk say e dey “grateful on behalf of me and all my brothers” and proud say people dey recognize di Ezra Collective name.
Other notable winners include Central Cee for Best Hip-Hop Act, Chip for Best Grime Act, Twin S for Best Drill Act, Flo for Best R&B/Soul Act, Nova Twins for Best Alternative Music Act, Sherelle for Best Electronic Act, Vybz Kartel for Best Caribbean Music Act, and Raye for Video of di Year for “Where Is My Husband!” P2J win di Best Producer award.
On di red carpet, stars talk about di importance of di awards after 30 years. Myles Smith, wey get nomination for Song of di Year for “Nice To Meet You,” talk say “shining a light on music from di black community and di amazing way wey we shape core culture and push boundaries na something wey dey incredible.” Leigh-Anne Pinnock, wey rise to fame for girl group Little Mix, talk say “dis na our one show to really highlight black music, so I think e super important.”
Di 2026 MOBO Awards show di diversity and strength of black music across genres and generations. From Olivia Dean’s soulful pop to Ayra Starr’s afrobeats global takeover, from Slick Rick’s hip hop legacy to DC3’s gospel breakthrough, di celebration prove say black music origin continue to shape di world soundscape. As di awards mark 30 years, di message clear: di music of black origin no dey go anywhere, e dey here to stay and evolve.
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