MOBO Awards 2025: Central Cee, Darkoo, and Bashy Among Big Winners

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The MOBO Awards 2025 took place in Newcastle, with a star-studded lineup of performers including Krept & Konan, Bashy, Spice, and Nova Twins. The ceremony saw Central Cee make history as the first artist to win best male act three times, with his seventh trophy matching Stormzy's record as the most decorated rapper in the awards' history. Central Cee did not attend the ceremony in person, with his prize instead collected by host Eddie Kadi. The event also saw Bashy claim best album and best hip-hop act after a 15-year break from music, with Darkoo beating off competition from Raye and Jorja Smith to be recognised as best female act.

Darkoo also performed at the event, treating the audience to the song of the year - Favourite Girl. Central Cee, also known as Cench, was previously named best male act in 2024 and released his debut album last month after eight top 10 singles. Reacting to his win on Instagram, he posted a screenshot of the awards' coverage with the comment "that's nice". He missed out on his other two nominations, including best drill act, which went to Pozer, and song of the year, which was won by Darkoo alongside her trophy for best female act. Despite not breaking into the UK singles charts, the British-Nigerian artist won for Favourite Girl, a collab with Dess Dior, ahead of Stormzy's number one track with Chase & Status, Backbone, as well as Central Cee's collab with Lil Baby, Band4Band, which peaked at number three.

Ayra Starr made history as the first African woman to win best international act, and also scooped the award for best African music act, becoming the first woman to win the category in 16 years. Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel was also recognised with the MOBO impact award, after being released from jail last year following the overturning of his murder conviction. The ceremony saw performances from Nova Twins, Spice, Krept And Konan, and award winners Odeal, Darkoo, and Bashy. Bashy, who returned to music after a 15-year break to focus on his acting career, won best hip-hop act as well as album of the year for Being Poor Is Expensive, an award he said he "wanted and deserved". The music industry has seen a significant shift in recent years, with the rise of independent artists and the increasing importance of digital platforms.

The winners of the MOBO Awards 2025 included: * Best male act: Central Cee * Best female act: Darkoo * Best album: Being Poor Is Expensive by Bashy * Best hip-hop act: Bashy * Best international act: Ayra Starr * Best African music act: Ayra Starr * Song of the year: Favourite Girl by Darkoo featuring Dess Dior * Best newcomer: Odeal * Best R&B/soul act: Odeal * Best jazz act: Ezra Collective * Best grime act: Scorcher * Best drill act: Pozer * Best electronic/dance act: TSHA * Best gospel: Annatoria * Best Caribbean music act: Shenseea * Best alternative music act: ALT BLK ERA * Best producer: Juls * Media personality: 90s Baby Show * Video of the year: My Man by Mnelia * Best TV/film performance: Jacob Anderson for his role in Interview With The Vampire * MOBO impact award: Vybz Kartel * Paving the way award: Denise Lewis

The MOBO Awards celebrate black music in the UK and internationally, and will mark their 30th anniversary in 2026. In December, MOBOs founder Kanya King revealed she had been diagnosed with stage four cancer, but said she would continue to lead the organisation. The ceremony saw a special gong handed out to athlete Denise Lewis, who took home the "paving the way" prize, recognising trailblazers across different industries including sports, media, and entertainment, as well as music.