Central Cee, Bashy and Ayra Starr were among the big winners at the 2025 MOBO Awards – see the full list of winners below.
The 27th edition of the annual awards ceremony, which celebrates music of Black origin, took place in Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Tuesday night (February 18), hosted by comedian Eddie Kadi and Love Island star Indiyah Polack.
The show was live streamed on YouTube from 8pm on the night, while an exclusive ‘Access All Areas’ broadcast is set to air on BBC One on Friday night (February 21) at 11:25pm.
Bashy took home the prestigious Album Of The Year prize for his first record in 15 years, ‘Being Poor Is Expensive’, which was also named as one of the 50 best albums of 2024 by NME. He was also named the Best Hip Hop Act.
Bashy. Photo credit: Dennis Morris.
Other multiple winners were Darkoo, who won Best Female Act as well as Song Of The Year for ‘Favourite Girl’ featuring Dess Dior, and Ayra Starr, who picked up gongs for Best African Music Act and Best International Act. Odeal was another artist to take home two MOBOs – Best Newcomer and Best R&B/Soul Act.
Elsewhere, Central Cee took home Best Male Act for a record third time, Ezra Collective won Best Jazz Act and ALT BLK ERA were named Best Alternative Music Act.
See the full list of winners here:
Best Male Act: Central Cee
Best Female Act: Darkoo
Best Newcomer: Odeal
Album Of The Year: Bashy – ‘Being Poor Is Expensive’
Song Of The Year: Darkoo (ft. Dess Dior) – ‘Favourite Girl’
Video Of The Year: Mnelia – ‘My Man’
Best Hip Hop Act: Bashy
Best Grime Act: Scorcher
Best Drill Act: Pozer
Best R&B/Soul Act: Odeal
Best Media Personality: 90s Baby Show
Best African Music Act: Ayra Starr
Best Performance In A TV Show/Film: Jacob Anderson in Interview With The Vampire
Best Electronic/Dance Music Act: TSHA
Best Gospel Act: Annatoria
Best Jazz Act: Ezra Collective
Best Producer: Juls
Best Caribbean Music Act: Shenseea
Best Alternative Music Act: ALT BLK ERA
Best International Act: Ayra Starr
In addition, two special awards were handed out at the ceremony: Olympic gold medal-winning heptathlete Denise Lewis won the MOBO Paving The Way Award, while dancehall legend Vybz Kartel won the MOBO Impact Award.
The show also included a number of live performances, from the likes of Krept & Konan, Spice, Nova Twins and Nao, as well as winners Bashy, Darkoo and Odeal.
Ahead of the ceremony, MOBO founder and CEO Kanya King CBE said: “MOBO has always been about shaping cultural moments that celebrate the richness and diversity of music, and this year will be no exception. Our R&B celebration promises to be a defining highlight, alongside an incredible showcase of genres on the MOBO stage.
“There’s something truly special about bringing these moments to life—experiences that fans can only witness at the MOBO Awards. We can’t wait to unveil even more surprises as we build up to February 18.”
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