Olivia Dean wins big at MOBO Awards 2026

Winners of the 2026 MOBO awards include Central Cee, Pharrell Williams, and Olivia Dean, who picked up three awards throughout the ceremony.

Dean took home the Album of the Year award for Art of Loving, Song of the Year for Man I Need and Best Female Act.

Lewisham-born rapper, singer and producer Jim Legxacy won Best Male Act, having received four nominations, while RAYE won Video of the Year for WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!, directed by the Reids.

Central Cee won Best Hip Hop Act - his eighth MOBO award - while FLO celebrated their first MOBO win for Best R&B/Soul Act. Ezra Collective won Best Jazz Act, and Stephen Graham won Best Performance in a TV Show/Film for Adolescence.

Social media-riser teen Christian rapper DC3 was awarded two MOBO Awards: Best Newcomer and Best Gospel Act. Chip won his fifth MOBO award for Best Grime Act, having won his first MOBO award for Best Newcomer in 2008 at the age of 16.

“Thirty years ago, the MOBO Organisation was born out of a desire to create space where there was none — to recognise, celebrate and elevate Black music and culture,” said Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of the MOBO Group. “Tonight in Manchester, we’ve seen just how far that vision has come. From global icons to the next generation of trailblazers, this stage continues to be a home for excellence, creativity and truth.

“This isn’t just a celebration of the past — it’s a statement about the future. MOBO remains an important platform, and we are more committed than ever to opening doors, breaking barriers and championing the voices that shape culture around the world.”

Performances included Olivia Dean, performing A Couple Minutes, Aitch with 1989 and Baby and a medley by Slick Rick and Estelle, which included songs such as Hey Young World, Children's Story and Dionne Warwick’s Walk On By. The evening’s live performance roster also included FLO, Tiwa Savage, Myles Smith, Shenseea and a Grime medley with Chip, D Double E, Nolay, Scorcher and Wiley, curated by DJ Target.

A global audience tuned in to watch the celebration of Black music and culture via the Amazon Music UK channel on Twitch

Full winners list:

Best Male Act in association with Prostate Cancer UK - Jim Legacy
Best Female Act in association with Got2b - Olivia Dean
Album of the Year in association with Amazon Music - Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving
Song of the Year in association with 1664 Bière - Olivia Dean - Man I Need
Best Newcomer - DC3
Video of the Year in association with Vevo - RAYE - 'WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!' (directed by the reids)
Best R&B/Soul Act in association with Huda Beauty - FLO
Best Alternative Music act - Nova Twins
Best Grime Act Supported by Trench - Chip
Best Hip Hop Act - Central Cee
Best Drill Act - Twin S
Best International Act - Ayra Starr
Best Media Personality - Niko Omilana
Best Performance in a TV show/film - Stephen Graham - Adolescence
Best African Music act - Wizkid
Best Caribbean Music act - Vybz Kartel
Best Jazz Act - Ezra Collective
Best electronic/dance act supported by Bema & Mixmag - SHERELLE
Best Gospel Act supported by Premier Gospel - DC3
Best Producer - P2J

Special honours:
MOBO Global Songwriter Award - Pharrell Williams
MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award - Slick Rick

Image credit: MOBO awards