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 ACTBashyCentral CeeD-Block EuropeGhettsNemzzzSampha

BEST FEMALE ACTCleo SolDarkooJorja SmithLittle SimzNia ArchivesRaye

ALBUM OF THE YEARBashy – Being Poor Is ExpensiveCleo Sol – GoldGhetts – On Purpose, With PurposeJorja Smith – Falling Or FlyingSampha – LahaiSkrapz – Reflection

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

BEST NEWCOMERChy CartierElmieneFimiguerreroFlowerovloveJordan AdetunjiLenLeostaytrillMyles SmithOdealPozer

VIDEO OF THE YEARMeekz – '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 ACTCleo SolElmieneFloJaz KarisJorja SmithNippaOdealSasha KeableShae UniverseSinead Harnett

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACTALT BLK ERABob VylanHak BakerKid BookieNative JamesSPIDER

BEST GRIME ACTChipD Double EDuppyKruz LeoneManga Saint HilareScorcher

BEST HIP-HOP ACTBashyCristaleHeadie OneNinesPotter PayperSkrapz

BEST DRILL ACT163MargsCentral CeeHeadie OneKairo KeyzK-trapPozer

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACTAsakeAyra StarrBeyoncéGloRillaKendrick LamarLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajTemsTyla

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW / FILMAngela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In EastendersCaroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book II: GhostDiane Parish As Denise Fox In EastendersDionne Brown As Queenie In QueenieGhetts As Krazy In SupacellJacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The VampireJasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top BoyJosh Tedeku As Tazer In SupacellKingsley Ben-adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One LoveTosin Cole As Michael In Supacell

BEST MEDIA PERSONALITY90’s Baby ShowAJ OduduChuckie OnlineCraig MitchHenrie KwushueMadame JoyceMicah RichardsSpecs GonzalezThe Receipts PodcastZeze Millz

BEST AFRICAN MUSIC ACTAsake (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 ACTPopcaanShenseeaSkillibengSpiceValiantYg Marley

BEST JAZZ ACTAmy GadiagaBlue Lab BeatsEgo Ella MayEzra CollectiveKokorokoYussef Dayes

BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ACTEliza RoseNia ArchivesPinkpantheressSaluteShygirlTsha

BEST PRODUCERCeebeaatsInfloJulsM1onthebeatP2jSammy Soso

BEST GOSPEL ACTAnnatoriaImrhanLimoblazeReblahStill ShadeyVolney Morgan & New Ye