The MOBO Awards 2026 nominations were announced on Thursday and Olivia Dean and Little Simz are leading the pack with four nods apiece.
The 2026 event will take place on March 26 at Manchester’s Co op Live, marking the first time the ceremony has been held in the city as part of the MOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary.
Little Simz is nominated for Album of the Year (Lotus), Best Female Act, Best Hip Hop Act and Video of the Year for Flood.
Olivia Dean matches her with nominations for Album of the Year (The Art of Loving), Best Female Act, Best R’nB/Soul Act and Song of the Year for Man I Need.
Rising R’nB artist kwn appears in Best Newcomer, Best Female Act, Best R’n’B/Soul Act and Song of the Year for Do What I Say.
MOBO Awards 2026 nominations announced as Olivia Dean, (pictured) and Little Simz lead the pack with four nominations apiece
Jim Legxacy completes the top group with nominations for Best Male Act, Best Newcomer, Song of the Year for 3X with Dave and Video of the Year for Father.
Central Cee, FLO, PinkPantheress and Skepta follow with three nominations each.
Central Cee is recognised for Album of the Year (Can’t Rush Greatness), Best Male Act and Best Hip Hop Act. FLO’s debut Access All Areas earns them a place in Album of the Year, alongside Best Female Act and Best R’n’B/Soul Act.
PinkPantheress appears in Best Female Act, Best Electronic/Dance Act and Song of the Year for Illegal.
Skepta is shortlisted for Best Male Act, Video of the Year for Back 2 Back and Song of the Year for Victory Lap.
The Best Newcomer category highlights 10 emerging acts, including EsDeeKid, Finessekid, YT, Skye Newman, DC3, Nia Smith, Namebliss and Sekou.
The MOBO Awards also continue to recognise achievements in film and television.
Netflix’s Adolescence earns two nominations for Best Performance in a TV Show/Film, with Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham both shortlisted.
Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) and Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners) also receive nominations.
In the Best Media Personality category, nominees include DJ AG, TikTok creator Bemi Orojuogun (“Bus Aunty”), stylist Melissa Holdbrook Akposoe and the teams behind In My Opinion and Winners Talking.
International categories reflect the global reach of Black music, with Ayra Starr, Tyla and Moliy nominated for both Best African Music Act and Best International Act. Vybz Kartel appears in Best Caribbean Music Act and Best International Act.
Public voting is now open for select categories at voting.mobo.com.
