Olivia Dean, Jim Legxacy, RAYE And Central Cee Among 2026 MOBO Award Winners
Friday, 27 March 2026
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Gwen Trannoy
Olivia Dean, Jim Legxacy, RAYE Among and Central Cee were among the winners at last night's MOBO Awards.
Dean (pictured), who won Best New Artist at the Grammys and took home four of her five nominations at the BRIT Awards last month, was the biggest winner, picking up Album Of The Year for 'The Art of Loving', Best Female Act, and Song of The Year for her chart-topping hit, Man I Need. Accepting the best album award, she said:
"This album was really just born out of me wanting to write something about love and really what it means to me and us loving each other. And I want to just dedicate this actually to bell hooks (author) and all the black feminists that inspire me to love better and love the people in my life."
Lewishan rapper Jim Legxacy was named Best Male Act, RAYE won Video Of The Year for her song Where Is My Husband!, Best International Act went to Ayra Starr, Best R&B/Soul Act was FLO, DC3 was named Best Newcomer, Chip won Best Grime Act, Central Cee was victorious with Best Hip Hop Act, Nova Twins took home Best Alternative Act, and Ezra Collective won Best Jazz Act.
British-American rapper Slick Rick, who released his latest album 'Victory' last year, was honoured with the MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Global Songwriter Award went to Pharrelll Williams, best known for his 2013 hits Happy and Get Lucky with Daft Punk. Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of the MOBO Group, said:
"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 . 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."
Celebrating black music in the UK and internationally, the annual MOBO Awards celebrated its 30th anniversary at Manchester's Co-op Live for the first time last night (March 26), with Dean, FLO, Slick Rick and Estelle, Tiwa Savage, Aitch and Myles Smith among the live performers. Check out the full list of winners and watch Dean before her track, A Couple Minutes, at the ceremony below.
Many of the 2026 winners and nominees have shows and tours lined up across the UK, Ireland and beyond over the next 12 months, including Olivia Dean, Jim Legxacy, RAYE and Ezra Collective.
Best Male Act – Jim Legxacy
Best Female Act – Olivia Dean
Album of the Year – Olivia Dean for The Art Of Loving
Song of the Year – Olivia Dean for Man I Need
Video of the Year – Raye for Where Is My Husband!
Best Newcomer – DC3
Best Hip Hop Act – Central Cee
Best Grime Act – Chip
Best Drill Act – Twin S
Best R&B/Soul Act – Flo
Best Electronic Act – Sherelle
Best Gospel Act – DC3
Best Jazz Act – Ezra Collective
Best Producer – P2J
Best African Music Act – Wizkid
Best Caribbean Music Act – Vybz Kartel
Best Alternative Music Act – Nova Twins
Best International Act – Ayra Starr
Best Media Personality – Niko Omilana
Best Performance in a TV Show/Film – Stephen Graham for Adolescence
Lifetime Achievement – Slick Rick
Global Songwriter Award – Pharrell Williams
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