Love Island’s Indiyah Polack and comedian Eddie Kadi have been announced as the hosts of The MOBO Awards 2025.

The former reality star, 26, and Eddie, 41, will be helming the event set to be held at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle on February 18.

The celebration of Black music and culture will roll out its red carpet for the very first time in Newcastle.

Global dancehall queen Spice, UK rap duo Krept and Konan, and the multi-talented Bashy are the first wave of performers confirmed for the ceremony – with more stars to be announced soon.

The 2025 MOBO Awards will be live-streamed to a global audience on YouTube at 8pm GMT on 18 February, with an exclusive BBC One broadcast special airing on 21 February.

Eddie is a pᴀssionate advocate for African music, hosting The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show on BBC Radio 1Xtra every week and has also toured as a host with the likes of Wizkid, Lauryn Hill and Burna Boy. 

Love Island’s Indiyah Polack and comedian Eddie Kadi have been announced as the hosts of The MOBO Awards 2025

The former reality star, 26, and Eddie, 41, will be helming the event set to be held at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle on February 18

He took on his first MOBO role at the 2021 Awards in Coventry as a roaming host accompanying Munya Chawawa and Leigh-Anne Pinnock. 

Since then, he has gone on to become one of the UK’s fastest rising TV stars, with an extensive list of credits including his time as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. 

He has since achieved prestigious earning nominations including Best Breakthrough Award at the Royal Television Society and Best Breakthrough Presenter at the Edinburgh TV Awards. 

Meanwhile Indiyah returns for her second year to co-host the MOBO Awards. 

As well as joining Capital Xtra as a presenter recently, she has appeared as a panellist on the last two seasons of Love Island Aftersun, alongside Sam Thompson and Maya Jama, and additionally hosts the Love Island podcast, The Morning After. 

Upon the announcement Eddie said: ‘The MOBO Awards is a big part of British music culture and it’s an honour to be asked to co-host this year’s ceremony with Indiyah.

‘There are so many incredible artists nominated and the show is going to reflect the incredible range of the MOBO Awards – from hip hop to dancehall and more surprises to come! 

‘Watch this space. We can’t wait to bring the party to Newcastle where we know the energy is going to be electric!’

Eddie is a pᴀssionate advocate for African music, hosting The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show on BBC Radio 1Xtra every week and has also toured as a host with the likes of Wizkid, Lauryn Hill and Burna Boy

Jorja Smith (seen) joined Ghetts and Central Cee as three of the front runners for the upcoming MOBO Awards 2025 as the nominations were announced last year 

Rapper Ghetts (seen) was recognised for his work both in music and acting, receiving nods for Best Male Act and Album Of The Year – as well as Best Performance In a TV Show/Film for his role as Krazy in Netflix’s Supacell 

Central Cee (seen) now attracts more than 25million monthly streams, and 2024 saw the release of singles including ‘BAND4BAND’ featuring Lil Baby, which received a Song Of The Year nod. He is also up for Best Male Act and Best Drill Act

Indiyah added: ‘I’m so excited to be back co-hosting the MOBO Awards for the second year. 

Read More MOBO Awards 2025 nominations announced as triple nominees Jorja Smith, Ghetts and Central Cee are among the stars leading the pack

‘We’re going to bring a show like no other before to Newcastle, celebrating the richness of Black music and culture. 

‘You can expect some incredible red carpet looks, amazing live performances and of course, great vibes from Eddie and I.’

BBC One will air an exclusive behind-the-scenes special on Friday 21 February, offering viewers an access-all-areas experience of the event. 

Ahead of the Awards night, The MOBO Fringe will take place in locations across Newcastle from Thursday 13 February to Monday 17 February.

It will combine live performances, workshops, industry summits, and community-led initiatives to leave a lasting legacy for the region. 

The MOBO Award 2025 nominees fall across over 20 categories and this year, the British R&B scene shines brightly, with triple MOBO nominees Jorja Smith and Cleo Sol leading the charge.

The annual awards ceremony is to take place in Newcastle for the first time ever, and will be held at the Utilita Arena on February 18 

2025 MOBO AWARDS NOMINATIONS 

BEST MALE ACT

BASHY

CENTRAL CEE

D-BLOCK EUROPE

GHETTS

NEMZZZ

SAMPHA

BEST FEMALE ACT IN ᴀssOCIATION WITH got2b

CLEO SOL

DARKOO

JORJA SMITH

LITTLE SIMZ

NIA ARCHIVES

RAYE  

BEST NEWCOMER

CHY CARTIER

ELMIENE

FIMIGUERRERO

FLOWEROVLOVE

JORDAN ADETUNJI

LEN

LEOSTAYTRILL

MYLES SMITH

ODEAL

POZER  

BEST R&B/SOUL ACT SUPPORTED BY KISS FM

CLEO SOL

ELMIENE

FLO

JAZ KARIS

JORJA SMITH

NIPPA

ODEAL

SASHA KEABLE

SHAE UNIVERSE

SINEAD HARNETT  

BEST HIP HOP ACT SUPPORTED BY BBC RADIO 1XTRA

BASHY

CRISTALE

HEADIE ONE

NINES

POTTER PAYPER

SKRAPZ

BEST DRILL ACT

163MARGS

CENTRAL CEE

HEADIE ONE

KAIRO KEYZ

K-TRAP

POZER  

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

ASAKE

AYRA STARR

BEYONCE

GLORILLA

KENDRICK LAMAR

LATTO

MEGAN THEE STALLION

NICKI MINAJ

TEMS

TYLA  

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 GOSPEL ACT SUPPORTED BY PREMIER GOSPEL

ANNATORIA

IMRHAN

LIMOBLAZE

REBLAH

STILL SHADEY

VOLNEY MORGAN & NEW YE

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’  

VIDEO OF THE YEAR IN ᴀssOCIATION WITH LNER

MEEKZ – ‘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 ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT IN ᴀssOCIATION WITH MARSHALL

ALT BLK ERA

BOB VYLAN

HAK BAKER

KID BOOKIE

NATIVE JAMES

SPIDER  

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT IN ᴀssOCIATION WITH MARSHALL

ALT BLK ERA

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  

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 AFRICAN MUSIC ACT IN ᴀssOCIATION WITH LOCO MUSIC

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 ELECTRONIC/DANCE ACT SUPPORTED BY MIXMAG

ELIZA ROSE

NIA ARCHIVES

PINKPANTHERESS

SALUTE

SHYGIRL

TSHA

BEST PRODUCER

CEEBEAATS

INFLO

JULS

M1ONTHEBEAT

P2J

SAMMY SOSO