PinkPantheress, Skepta, and Jim Legxacy among 2026 MOBO Awards nominees

The nominations for this year's MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Awards have been revealed.

The awards ceremony for the MOBOs 2026 - the UK's biggest celebration of Black music and culture - will take place in Manchester on March 26, taking over the Co-op Live Arena. 

Leading the nominations are Little Simz, kwn, Olivia Dean, and Jim Legxacy with four nods each; Legxacy has secured nominations for Best Male Act, Best Newcomer, Song of the Year, and Video of the Year. 

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Skepta, Central Cee, FLO, and PinkPantheress have received three nominations each, with the latter receiving a nomination for Best Dance and Electronic act — supported by Mixmag and BEMA — alongside FKA twigs, KILIMANJARO, salute, Jazzy, and SHERELLE.

Elsewhere, the MOBOs is celebrating a wide-range of up-and-coming talent this year with its Best Newcomer category, with '4 Raws' rapper Esdeekid, Jim Legxacy, Nia Smith, kwn, Finessekid, and Sekou all nominated. 

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“As MOBO enters its 30th year, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary breadth of talent we have championed over the past three decades," MOBO CEO Kanya King says. "Time and again, artists have taken the recognition of a MOBO Award and transformed it into fuel for lasting success."

"The 2026 nominations represent one of the strongest and most diverse showcases of Black British music excellence we’ve seen in years," she continues. "Spanning R&B, dance-electronic, and experimental rap, what unites these artists is the power of their storytelling, their confidence and cultural impact."

Check out the full list of nominees for the MOBO Awards 2026 here.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on X