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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Rachael Davies

MOBO Awards 2022: Nominees, hosts and line-up announced

MOBO founder Kanya King following the announcement that the awards will return to London for its 25th anniversary celebration on November 30

(Picture: Jonathan Williams/PA Wire)

The MOBO Awards are to return for its 25th anniversary event at the end of the month.

Founded in 1996, they celebrate and elevate music of black origin, seeking to support the growth of British rap, hip-hop, R&B, soul, grime, drill, gospel, jazz, reggae, garage and other genres.

“It’s a proud moment to see MOBO Awards return to London for our big 25-year milestone, which will see us celebrating our legacy, as well as paying it forward to the biggest stars of the scene,” said MOBO founder Kanya King CBE in a statement.

“25 years ago I put my house and sanity on the line to make the first MOBO Awards happen at the Connaught Rooms and what an incredible journey it has been.”

Here’s all we know about the MOBO Awards 2022, with more details soon to come.

When are the MOBO Awards 2022?

The MOBOs 2022 will take place on November 30. You can also attend the awards ceremony yourself, as tickets went on general sale on October 21.

Who is performing at the MOBO Awards 2022?

The MOBO awards will be full of performances from groups and rappers alike. Kojey Radical, Tion Wayne, Fireboy DML, Cat Burns and FLO are confirmed to take the stage, with FLO making their televised awards ceremony debut.

Kojey Radical will be performing at the awards (Technique PR)

Having turned heads with their recent live performances on Jools Holland and Jimmy Kimmel, the trio – made up of Renée, Jorja and Stella – are set to stun at Wembley after an impressive debut year and have already been tipped by Missy Elliott, SZA and Sugababes.

Who is hosting the MOBO Awards 2022?

London-based YouTubers turned TV presenters Chunkz and Yung Filly will be hosting this year’s show. Both the stars won the MOBO best media personality award last year.

Chunkz, who hosted the MOBO Awards in 2020 alongside Maya Jama, is a social media phenomenon with over 193 million views on his YouTube channel.

Presenter, musician and comedian Yung Filly has gone from one of the UK’s most popular YouTubers to recording music with grime royalty Chip and impressing Paul Hollywood on The Great Celebrity Bake Off. 

Where will the MOBO Awards 2022 be held?

The MOBO Awards 2022 will be held at the OVO Arena Wembley and King has promised that the 25th anniversary edition of the MOBOs “will be the biggest celebration we have ever created”.

“I want MOBO to continue being a beacon for the best talent this country has to offer,” she added. “Here’s to the next 25 years!”

Who are this year’s nominees?

Nominees for this year’s awards include Little Simz, Dave, Aitch Mahalia and many more.

The full line-up of nominees is as follows:

Best Male Act

  • Central Cee
  • Dave D-Block Europe
  • Digga D
  • Knucks 
  • Tion Wayne

Best Female Act 

  • Little Simz 
  • Mahalia 
  • Miraa May 
  • Ms Banks 
  • Pinkpantheress
  • Tiana Major9

Album of the Year

  • Aitch – Close to Home 
  • Knucks – Alpha Place 
  • Kojey Radical – Reason to Smile 
  • Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert 
  • M Huncho – Chasing Euphoria 
  • Miraa May – Tales of a Miracle

Song of the Year in Association with Lucozade  – (Public Voted Category) 

  • Aitch featuring Ashanti – Baby 
  • Central Cee – Doja 
  • Dave – Starlight 
  • Digga D & Stillbrickin – Pump 101 
  • Dreya Mac, Felixthe1st & Finch Fetti – Own Brand (Baddie)
  • Potter Payper featuring Tiggs Da Author – Gangsteritus

Best Newcomer in Association with Asos – (Public Voted Category)

  • Amaria Bb
  • Bru-C
  • Cat Burns 
  • Clavish 
  • Cristale
  • Flo
  • Jbee
  • Nemzzz
  • Nia Archives
  • Switchotr

Video of the Year in Association with McCrispy – (Public Voted Category)

  • Central Cee – Doja (directed by Cole Bennett)
  • Headie One, Abra Cadabra & Bandokay – Can’t Be Us (directed by Headie One & Don Prod)
  • Knucks – Alpha House/Hide & Seek (directed by Emile Ebrahim Kelly)
  • Kojey Radical featuring Knucks – Payback (directed by Charlie Sarsfield & Ejiro Dafé)
  • Little Simz featuring Obongjayar – Point and Kill (directed by Ebeneza Blanche)
  • Mahalia – Whatever Simon Say (directed by Mahalia)

Best R&B/Soul Act 

  • Ella Mai 
  • Mahalia 
  • Miraa May 
  • Nao 
  • Shakka 
  • Tiana Major9

Best Grime Act – [Public Voted Category]

  • Blay Vision 
  • D Double E 
  • Frisco 
  • Kamakaze
  • Manga Saint Hilare 
  • Novelist

Best Hip Hop Act in Association with Mixtape Madness 

  • D-Block Europe 
  • Knucks 
  • Kojey Radical 
  • Little Simz 
  • Potter Payper 
  • Youngs Teflon

Best Drill Act Supported by Trench – (Public Voted Category)

  • Central Cee
  • Digga D 
  • Headie One 
  • Ivorian Doll 
  • K-Trap
  • Kwengface 
  • M2
  • Russ Millions 
  • Unknown T 
  • V9

Best International Act - (Public Voted Category)

  • Beyoncé 
  • Burna Boy 
  • Chris Brown 
  • Drake 
  • Jack Harlow 
  • Jazmine Sullivan 
  • Kendrick Lamar 
  • Skillibeng
  • Summer Walker 
  • Tems

Best Performance in a TV Show/Film – (Public Voted Category)

  • Damson Idris as Franklin Saint – Snowfall 
  • Daniel Kaluuya as Otis “Oj” Haywood Jr – Nope 
  • Jasmine Jobson as Jaq – Top Boy 
  • Kane Robinson (Kano) as Sully – Top Boy 
  • Lashana Lynch As Nomi – No Time to Die
  • Samuel Adewunmi as Hero – You Don’t Know Me

Best Media Personality – (Public Voted Category)

  • Big Zuu
  • Chuckie Online
  • Chunkz 
  • Harry Pinero 
  • Ksi 
  • Mo Gilligan 
  • Munya Chawawa 
  • Nella Rose
  • Yung Filly 
  • Zeze Millz

Best Alternative Music Act in Association with Marshall

  • Big Joanie 
  • Bob Vylan 
  • Kid Bookie 
  • Loathe 
  • Nova Twins 
  • Skunk Anansie

Best Electronic/Dance Act – supported by Mixmag

  • Anz
  • Eliza Rose 
  • Fka Twigs 
  • Jax Jones
  • Nia Archives
  • Sherelle

Best African Music Act – supported by Afrozons – [Public Voted Category]

  • Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
  • Asake (Nigeria)
  • Burna Boy (Nigeria)
  • Fireboy Dml (Nigeria)
  • Kabza De Small (South Africa)
  • Omah Lay (Nigeria)
  • Oxlade (Nigeria)
  • Pheelz (Nigeria)
  • Rema (Nigeria)
  • Tems (Nigeria)

Best Gospel Act – supported by Premier Gospel 

  • Asha Elia 
  • Calledout Music 
  • Rachel Kerr
  • Reblah 
  • Sarah Teibo 
  • Still Shadey

Best Jazz Act – supported by Jazz Fm

  • Blue Lab Beats 
  • Doomcannon
  • Ego Ella May 
  • Ezra Collective 
  • Jas Kayser 
  • Kokoroko

Best Caribbean Music Act 

  • Koffee
  • Popcaan
  • Sean Paul 
  • Shenseea
  • Skillibeng 
  • Spice

Best Producer – supported by Complex UK 

  • Inflo 
  • Jae5Labrinth 
  • M1onthebeatPJ 
  • TSB
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