The MOBO Awards 2026 took over Manchester’s Co-op Live last night, marking three decades of the MOBO Organisation with a historic celebration of Black music and culture. Hosted by Eve and Eddie Kadi, the ceremony brought together global icons and homegrown trailblazers for an evening that blended nostalgia with the cutting edge of the UK scene.
The night belonged to Olivia Dean, who scooped three of the ceremony’s biggest honors: Album of the Year for The Art of Loving, Song of the Year for "Man I Need," and Best Female Act. Her triple win cements her status as one of the UK's most formidable global exports. Dean also delivered an intimate, magnetic performance of "A Couple Minutes," backed by her live band.
In the highly competitive male categories, Lewisham’s Jim Legxacy took home Best Male Act. His 2025 project, black british music, was praised by critics for reshaping the sonic landscape of the UK underground. Other major winners included Central Cee, who secured his eighth MOBO trophy for Best Hip Hop Act, and RAYE, who won Video of the Year for "Where Is My Husband!" just hours before the release of her sophomore album.
The 30th-anniversary milestone was anchored by two legendary honors. Pharrell Williams received the MOBO Global Songwriter Award, while the "Untouchable King of Hip Hop," Slick Rick, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Rick’s cinematic performance featured a surprise appearance by Estelle for a medley of hits including "American Boy."
A major highlight was the "MOBO Salutes: Grime 25" medley. Curated by DJ Target, the performance featured Chip (who also won Best Grime Act), D Double E, Nolay, Scorcher, and a rare appearance by the "Godfather of Grime," Wiley. The set utilized tower block stage design to honor the genre's pirate radio roots.
Founder Kanya King CBE reflected on the journey: "Thirty years ago, MOBO was born out of a desire to create space where there was none. Tonight, we’ve seen just how far that vision has come."
