Nigerian music stars Asake, Ayra Starr, and Odumodublvck have been nominated for the prestigious 2025 Music of Black Origin Awards, recognizing their contributions to the global music scene.
Asake and Ayra Starr are listed in the Best International Act category alongside global icons like Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and Kendrick Lamar. South African sensation Tyla, who recently won Best New Artist at the BET Awards, is also a nominee in this category.
In the Best African Music Act category, seven Nigerian artists, including Asake, Ayra Starr, Odumodublvck, Rema, and Shallipopi, were nominated. Ghanaian singer King Promise and South African acts Tyla and Uncle Waffles also made the list.
The full list of nominees, released on Wednesday, includes artists across various genres. West London rapper Central Cee is in the spotlight, with a chance to become the first musician to win the Best Male Artist award three times.
The MOBO Awards, celebrating excellence in music of Black origin, will also feature categories for Best Male Act, Best Female Act, Song of the Year, and Best Newcomer, among others.
See the full list here:
Best international act
- Asake
- Ayra Starr
- Beyonce
- Glorilla
- Kendrick Lamar
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
- Tems
- Tyla
Best African music act
- 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 male act
- Bashy
- Central Cee
- D-Block Europe
- Ghetts
- Nemzzz
- Sampha
Best female act
- Cleo Sol
- Darkoo
- Jorja Smith
- Little Simz
- Nia Archives
- Raye
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
Best newcomer
- Chy Cartier
- Elmiene
- Fimiguerrero
- Flowerovlove
- Jordan Adetunji
- Len
- Leostaytrill
- Myles Smith
- Odeal
- Pozer
Video of the year
- Meekz – Mini Me’s
- Mnelia – My Man
- Raye – Genesis
- Sampha – Only
- Skepta – Gas Me Up (Diligent)
- Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – Hocus Pocus
Best R&B/soul act
- Cleo Sol
- Elmiene
- Flo
- Jaz Karis
- Jorja Smith
- Nippa
- Odeal
- Sasha Keable
- Shae Universe
- Sinead Harnett
Best grime act
- Chip
- D Double E
- Duppy
- Kruz Leone
- Manga Saint Hilare
- Scorcher
Best hip-hop act
- Bashy
- Cristale
- Headie One
- Nines
- Potter Payper
- Skrapz
Best drill act
- 163Margs
- Central Cee
- Headie One
- Kairo Keyz
- K-Trap
- Pozer
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 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 Alternative Music act
- Alt Blk Era
- Bob Vylan
- Hak Baker
- Kid Bookie
- Native James
- Spider
Best Electronic/Dance act
- Eliza Rose
- Nia Archives
- Pinkpantheress
- Salute
- Shygirl
- Tsha
Best Producer
- Ceebeaats
- Inflo
- Juls
- M1OnTheBeat
- P2J
- Sammy Soso
Best Gospel act
- Annatoria
- Imrhan
- Limoblaze
- Reblah
- Still Shadey
- Volney Morgan & New Ye
