The winners for the 2025 MOBO Awards were announced on Tuesday night at a star-studded ceremony held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena.

Coming out on top this year were Bashy, Ayra Starr, Darkoo and Odeal, who landed two prizes each, while Central Cee became the joint most-decorated rapper in MOBOs history.

He won Best Male Act for the record-breaking third year in a row, bringing his total award wins to seven, tied with Stormzy.

However, the artist – whose real name is Oakley Caesar-Su – was not in attendance at the glitzy ceremony to accept his award.

While Ayra beat off some seriously stiff compeтιтion to win Best International Act, triumphing over this year’s Grammy Award dominators Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé.

The Nigerian singer-songwriter also came top in the Best African Music Act category, becoming the first woman to win the gong in 16 years.

The winners for the 2025 MOBO Awards were announced on Tuesday night at a star-studded ceremony held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena (Ayra Starr pictured)

Central Cee became the joint most-decorated rapper in MOBOs history as he won Best Male Act for the record-breaking third year in a row, bringing his total award wins to seven, tied with Stormzy (pictured last week)

Nigerian artist Darkoo scooped the prize for Best Female Act, over the likes of RAYE , Jorja Smith , Little Simz , Cleo Sol and Nia Archives (pictured)

While fellow Nigerian artist Darkoo scooped the prize for Best Female Act, over the likes of RAYE, Jorja Smith, Little Simz, Cleo Sol and Nia Archives.

The rapper and singer also won the coveted Song of the Year award for her hit track Favourite Girl featuring Dess Dior.

German-born artist Odeal was awarded with Best Newcomer as well as scoring Best R&B or Soul Act.

Bashy won big after releasing his first record, Being Poor Is Expensive, in 15 years, as he scored the prestigious Album of the Year gong.

While the actor and rapper, 40, also landed the win in the Best Hip-Hop Act category as well.

The Video of the Year category was won by Mnelia for My Man, which was directed by Femi Bello.

And Jacob Anderson scored the win for Best Performance in a TV show or film for his performance as Louis in Interview With The Vampire. 

The actor and musician beat out  compeition from Kingsley Ben-Adir’s turn as Bob Marley in Bob Marley: One Love, Supacell stars Ghetts and Josh Tedeku, Jasmine Jobson in Top Boy and EastEnders’ Diane Parish and Angela Wynter.

While Ayra beat off some seriously stiff compeтιтion to win Best International Act, triumphing over this year’s Grammy Award dominators Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé

German-born artist Odeal was awarded with Best Newcomer as well as scoring Best R&B or Soul Act (pictured)

Bashy won big after releasing his first record, Being Poor Is Expensive, in 15 years, as he scored the prestigious Album of the Year gong and also landed the win in the Best Hip-Hop Act category (pictured)

Best Grime Act went to Scorcher, Best Drill Act was won by Pozer, Best Electronic Dance Music Act was given to TSHA and Ezra Collective won for Best Jazz Act. 

While Best Gospel Act went to Annatoria, Shenseea scooped Best Caribbean Music Act, and Best Alternative Act was won by ALT BLK ERA. 

Best Producer went to Juls and hit comedy podcast, 90s Baby Show, won the award for Best Media Personality.

While the evening also saw the presenting of two special prizes, with Olympic gold medallist Dame Denise Lewis being honoured with the Paving The Way Award.

The award is aimed at celebrating those who have paved the way for future generations in sport, entertainment and culture. 

The MOBOs praised the athlete ahead of the show, saying: ‘From making history in athletics to breaking barriers in broadcasting, Denise has paved the way for future generations with her talent, determination, and grace. 

‘An icon in British sport and an inspiring woman who continues to elevate the game—both on and off the track. A true force. A living legend. Denise Lewis, we salute you.’

While Jamaican dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel was honoured with MOBO Impact Award with his monumental return to the UK, a prize given to an artist who has been a pioneer in their genre.

Best Grime Act went to Scorcher (pictured), Best Drill Act was won by Pozer, Best Electronic Dance Music Act was given to TSHA and Ezra Collective won for Best Jazz Act.

Best Producer went to Juls and hit comedy podcast, 90s Baby Show, won the award for Best Media Personality (Fred Santana, Temi Alchemy & VP of 90s Baby Show pictured)

While the evening also saw the presenting of two special prizes, with Olympic gold medallist Dame Denise Lewis being honoured with the Paving The Way Award (pictured)

The award is aimed at celebrating those who have paved the way for future generations in sport, entertainment and culture and she was presented it by Newcastle United player Callum Wilson (pictured)

Last year saw him released from prison after serving 13 years of a life sentence on murder charges, after his conviction was quashed by the UK Privy Council due to attempts to bribe the jury during his trial.

While during the awards MOBOs founder Kanya King made an emotional speech after revealing her terminal cancer diagnosis.

The businesswoman, 56, was given the heartbreaking news in September that she had stage 4 bowel cancer that had spread to her liver and lymph nodes and would have just six months left to live.

But she beamed as she walked out on the stage to a standing ovation, with a speech about the MOBO Awards and the importance of health.

Kanya said: ‘My story isn’t over, this is a new chapter for my voice and my platform and my fight about something just as vital as music – our health.

‘Let me be real with you, if I had ignored the signs and symptoms I wouldn’t be here now. And in my cancer journey I want to educate others.’

And she broke into tears as she was surprised onstage by being presented with the honour of another Paving The Way Award.

While during the awards MOBOs founder Kanya King made an emotional speech after revealing her terminal cancer diagnosis

Double award winners Odeal, Darkoo and Bashy all took to the stage to perform during the evening, with the ceremony also seeing performances from rock duo Nova Twins and British hip hop duo Krept And Konan (pictured)

The awards was once again presented by Love Island star Indiyah Polack – after previously hosting last year – this time joined by comedian Eddie Kadi (pictured)

Best Drill Act was won by Pozer, who appeared thrilled as he posed for pH๏τographs with the gong 

Odeal flashed a huge grin after being awarded Best Newcomer at the 29th annual MOBOs

Bashy was nominated for Best Male Act and won Album of the Year and Best Hip Hop Act in a huge achievement 

Vybz Kartel cut a dapper figure in a pinstripe suit as he put on an energetic performance at the awards

Spice cut a smart figure in a white shirt and a blue checkered skirt as she sang for the crowds 

She was joined on stage by a whole host of backing dancers as she didn’t fail to impress 

The Nova Twins delivered a blistering performance as they pulled out all the stops on the night 

Double award winners Odeal, Darkoo and Bashy all took to the stage to perform during the evening, with the ceremony also seeing performances from rock duo Nova Twins and British hip hop duo Krept And Konan.

The awards was once again presented by Love Island star Indiyah Polack – after previously hosting last year – this time joined by comedian Eddie Kadi.

Ahead of the awards, she said she was ‘so excited to be back’ and added: ‘We’re going to bring a show like no other before to Newcastle, celebrating the richness of Black music and culture’.

Mobo Awards 2025: Access All Areas airs on BBC One on February 21 at 11.25pm. 

2025 MOBO AWARDS WINNERS 

BEST MALE ACT

BASHY

CENTRAL CEE – WINNER

D-BLOCK EUROPE

GHETTS

NEMZZZ

SAMPHA

BEST FEMALE ACT IN ᴀssOCIATION WITH got2b

CLEO SOL

DARKOO – WINNER

JORJA SMITH

LITTLE SIMZ

NIA ARCHIVES

RAYE

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

BASHY – BEING POOR IS EXPENSIVE – WINNER

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’ – WINNER

JORDAN ADETUNJI – ‘KEHLANI’

LEOSTAYTRILL – ‘PINK LEMONADE’

ODEAL – ‘SOH-SOH’

BEST NEWCOMER

CHY CARTIER

ELMIENE

FIMIGUERRERO

FLOWEROVLOVE

JORDAN ADETUNJI

LEN

LEOSTAYTRILL

MYLES SMITH

ODEAL – WINNER

POZER

VIDEO OF THE YEAR IN ᴀssOCIATION WITH LNER

MEEKZ – ‘MINI ME’S’ (DIRECTED BY KC LOCKE)

MNELIA – ‘MY MAN’ (DIRECTED BY FEMI BELLO) – WINNER

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 SUPPORTED BY KISS FM

CLEO SOL

ELMIENE

FLO

JAZ KARIS

JORJA SMITH

NIPPA

ODEAL – WINNER

SASHA KEABLE

SHAE UNIVERSE

SINEAD HARNETT 

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT IN ᴀssOCIATION WITH MARSHALL

ALT BLK ERA- WINNER

BOB VYLAN

HAK BAKER

KID BOOKIE

NATIVE JAMES

SPIDER

BEST GRIME ACT SUPPORTED BY TRENCH

CHIP

D DOUBLE E

DUPPY

KRUZ LEONE

MANGA SAINT HILARE

SCORCHER – WINNER

BEST HIP HOP ACT SUPPORTED BY BBC RADIO 1XTRA

BASHY – WINNER

CRISTALE

HEADIE ONE

NINES

POTTER PAYPER

SKRAPZ

BEST DRILL ACT

163MARGS

CENTRAL CEE

HEADIE ONE

KAIRO KEYZ

K-TRAP

POZER – WINNER

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

ASAKE

AYRA STARR – WINNER

BEYONCE

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 – WINNER

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 – WINNER

AJ ODUDU

CHUCKIE ONLINE

CRAIG MITCH

HENRIE KWUSHUE

MADAME JOYCE

MICAH RICHARDS

SPECS GONZALEZ

THE RECEIPTS PODCAST

ZEZE MILLZ

BEST AFRICAN MUSIC ACT IN ᴀssOCIATION WITH LOCO MUSIC

ASAKE (NIGERIA)

AYRA STARR (NIGERIA) – WINNER

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 – WINNER

SKILLIBENG

SPICE

VALIANT

YG MARLEY

BEST JAZZ ACT

AMY GADIAGA

BLUE LAB BEATS

EGO ELLA MAY

EZRA COLLECTIVE – WINNER

KOKOROKO

YUSSEF DAYES

BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ACT SUPPORTED BY MIXMAG

ELIZA ROSE

NIA ARCHIVES

PINKPANTHERESS

SALUTE

SHYGIRL

TSHA – WINNER

BEST PRODUCER

CEEBEAATS

INFLO

JULS – WINNER

M1ONTHEBEAT

P2J

SAMMY SOSO

BEST GOSPEL ACT SUPPORTED BY PREMIER GOSPEL

ANNATORIA – WINNER

IMRHAN

LIMOBLAZE

REBLAH

STILL SHADEY

VOLNEY MORGAN & NEW YE