MOBO Awards 2025: Central Cee and Darkoo among winners

The winners of the 2025 MOBO Awards were announced on Tuesday evening.

The awards celebrate Black music and culture in the UK and overseas, with nominations spanning across genres like hip-hop, R&B, grime, and Afrobeats. The ceremony was held in Newcastle, England, for the first time.

'Best Male Act' was awarded to UK rap star Central Cee. It is his seventh MOBO, tying him with Stormzy as the most decorated UK rapper in the awards' history.

'Best Female Act' was won by Afrobeats-exponent Darkoo. She also scooped 'Best Song of the Year' alongside Dess Dior for their hit 'Favourite Girl.'

There was disappointment on the night as the Irish nominees, hip-hop sensation – and cover star of Hot Press' latest issue – Jordan Adetunji, and alt-pop artist SPIDER, went home empty-handed.

Adetunji was nominated for 'Best Newcomer,' and his viral hit 'KEHLANI' was nominated for 'Song of the Year.' However, 'Best Newcomer' was awarded to London-based, multi-genre artist Odeal, while 'Song of the Year' was given to Darkoo and Dess Dior's 'Favourite Girl.'

SPIDER had been nominated for 'Best Alternative Music Act,' but the award was won by UK sister duo ALT BLK ERA.

Among the night's big winners was also West London-native Bashy, who scooped two awards: 'Best Hip-Hop Act' and 'Album of the Year' for Being Poor Is Expensive (2024). This album was the rapper's first full-length record in fifteen years.

Afrosoul star Ayra Starr won 'Best International Act' and 'Best African Music Act,' while Mnelia's music video for 'My Man,' directed by Femi Bello, won 'Video of the Year.'

See the full list of the MOBO Awards 2025 winners below.

BEST MALE ACT
Bashy
Central Cee
D-Block Europe
Ghetts
Nemzzz
Sampha

BEST FEMALE ACT
Cleo Sol
Darkoo
Jorja Smith
Little Simz
Nia Archives
Raye

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
Cleo Sol – Gold
Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose
Jorja Smith – Falling Or Flying
Sampha – Lahai
Skrapz – Reflection

SONG OF THE YEAR
Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – 'Band4band'
Chase & Status, Stormzy – 'Backbone'
Darkoo & Dess Dior – 'Favourite Girl'
Jordan Adetunji – 'Kehlani'
Leostaytrill – 'Pink Lemonade'
Odeal – 'Soh-soh'

BEST NEWCOMER
Chy Cartier
Elmiene
Fimiguerrero
Flowerovlove
Jordan Adetunji
Len
Leostaytrill
Myles Smith
Odeal
Pozer

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Meekz – 'Mini Me’s' (Directed By Kc Locke)
Mnelia – 'My Man' (Directed By Femi Bello)
Raye – 'Genesis' (Directed By Otis Dominique & Raye)
Sampha – 'Only' (Directed By Dexter Navy)
Skepta – 'Gas Me Up (Diligent)' (Directed By Steveo)
Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – 'Hocus Pocus' (Directed By Felix Brady)

BEST R&B/SOUL ACT
Cleo Sol
Elmiene
Flo
Jaz Karis
Jorja Smith
Nippa
Odeal
Sasha Keable
Shae Universe
Sinead Harnett

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT
ALT BLK ERA
Bob Vylan
Hak Baker
Kid Bookie
Native James
SPIDER

BEST GRIME ACT
Chip
D Double E
Duppy
Kruz Leone
Manga Saint Hilare
Scorcher

BEST HIP-HOP ACT
Bashy
Cristale
Headie One
Nines
Potter Payper
Skrapz

BEST DRILL ACT
163Margs
Central Cee
Headie One
Kairo Keyz
K-trap
Pozer

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Asake
Ayra Starr
Beyoncé
GloRilla
Kendrick Lamar
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Tems
Tyla

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW / FILM
Angela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In Eastenders
Caroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book II: Ghost
Diane Parish As Denise Fox In Eastenders
Dionne Brown As Queenie In Queenie
Ghetts As Krazy In Supacell
Jacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The Vampire
Jasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top Boy
Josh Tedeku As Tazer In Supacell
Kingsley Ben-adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One Love
Tosin Cole As Michael In Supacell

BEST MEDIA PERSONALITY
90’s Baby Show
AJ Odudu
Chuckie Online
Craig Mitch
Henrie Kwushue
Madame Joyce
Micah Richards
Specs Gonzalez
The Receipts Podcast
Zeze Millz

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 CARIBBEAN MUSIC ACT
Popcaan
Shenseea
Skillibeng
Spice
Valiant
Yg Marley

BEST JAZZ ACT
Amy Gadiaga
Blue Lab Beats
Ego Ella May
Ezra Collective
Kokoroko
Yussef Dayes

BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ACT
Eliza Rose
Nia Archives
Pinkpantheress
Salute
Shygirl
Tsha

BEST PRODUCER
Ceebeaats
Inflo
Juls
M1onthebeat
P2j
Sammy Soso

BEST GOSPEL ACT
Annatoria
Imrhan
Limoblaze
Reblah
Still Shadey
Volney Morgan & New Ye