The nominees for the 2025 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards have been unveiled, showcasing impressive representation from Nigerian artistes.
Asake and Ayra Starr earned spots in the prestigious Best International Act category, competing alongside global icons such as Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Nicki Minaj.
In the Best African Music Act category, seven Nigerian stars made the list: Asake, Ayra Starr, Odumodublvck, Rema, Shallipopi, Bnxn, Ruger, and Tems.
This strong showing highlights the growing influence of Nigerian music on the global stage.
South African singer Tyla, who won the Best New Artist award at the 2024 BET Awards, is also nominated in both categories.
Other notable nominees include Central Cee, who could become the first musician to win the Best Male Artist award three times, and West London rapper, who is tied with Stormzy for the most wins in the category.
See the full list of nominations below:
Best international act
Asake
Ayra Starr
Beyonce
Glorilla
Kendrick Lamar
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Tems
Tyla
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 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 Feat. 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
Mnelia – My Man
Raye – Genesis
Sampha – Only
Skepta – Gas Me Up (Diligent)
Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – Hocus Pocus
Best R&B/soul act
Cleo Sol
Elmiene
Flo
Jaz Karis
Jorja Smith
Nippa
Odeal
Sasha Keable
Shae Universe
Sinead Harnett
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 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 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 Alternative Music Act
Alt Blk Era
Bob Vylan
Hak Baker
Kid Bookie
Native James
Spider
Best Electronic/Dance Act
Eliza Rose
Nia Archives
Pinkpantheress
Salute
Shygirl
Tsha
Best Producer
Ceebeaats
Inflo
Read Also: Asake beats South Africa’s Tyla to win Best African Artist at MOBO Awards
Juls
M1OnTheBeat
P2J
Sammy Soso
Best Gospel Act
Annatoria
Imrhan
Limoblaze
Reblah
Still Shadey
Volney Morgan & New Ye