The first MOBO Awards held in Manchester took place on Thursday evening at Co-op Live and were streamed live on Twitch via Amazon Music, with Olivia Dean taking home three trophies
History was made on Thursday evening (March 26) as Manchester played host to the MOBO Awards for the very first time.
Comedians Eve and Eddie Kadi took to the stage at Co-op Live to helm the prestigious ceremony, which was also broadcast live on Twitch via Amazon Music. The star-studded night featured electrifying sets from Aitch, Flo, Myles Smith, and the unstoppable Olivia Dean, who arrived on a high following her triumphant showing at the BRIT Awards at the very same venue just weeks earlier.
Estelle and Slick Rick also delivered a memorable performance, with the latter being honoured with this year’s MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award. Music mogul Pharrell Williams was equally celebrated, picking up the MOBO Global Songwriter Award.
Olivia Dean was undoubtedly the queen of the night, scooping an impressive three gongs at the 2026 MOBO Awards, claiming Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Act, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Stepping up to collect her first accolade of the evening for Best Female Act, the Couple Minutes singer beamed: “Hi everyone! It’s such an honour to be here. I just feel so proud to be a black British female artist.”
She continued: “I just wanna say big up to all the other women in this category. I want to dedicate this to my mum and auntie who made me the woman I am today.” Accepting her third accolade of the night, the Baby Steps singer expressed: “This is a bit silly, thank you so much. This album was really just born from me wanting to write something about love. I want to dedicate this to Bell Hooks, and all the black feminists who inspired me to love better.
“Thank you so much.”
Among the evening’s other triumphs, Stephen Graham secured Best TV and Film Performances for his compelling portrayal in Adolescence. Taking to the stage, he declared: “This recognition for me means the world. I’d like to give love and respect for my fellow nominees. This is just as much theirs as it is mine. Can we give them all a massive round of applause? On a personal level, my friends and family – you know who you are – thank you for helping me do something I can’t do on my own.”
Meanwhile, the Best Newcomer trophy was claimed by 19 year old rapper DC3, who became visibly emotional and shed tears while receiving his honour on stage.
Below is the complete roster of victors from the 2026 MOBO Awards.
Best Male Act
- Central Cee
- Elmiene
- Jim Legxacy
- Nemzzz
- Odeal
- Skepta
Winner: Jim Legxacy
Best Female Act
- Flo
- Kwn
- Little Simz
- Olivia Dean
- PinkPantheress
- Sasha Keable
Winner: Olivia Dean
Album of the Year
- Central Cee – Can’t Rush Greatness
- Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching
- Flo – Access All Areas
- Kojey Radical – Don’t Look Down
- Little Simz – Lotus
- Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
Winner: Olivia Dean
Song of the Year
- AJ Tracey Feat. Jorja Smith – Crush
- Donaeo Feat. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir – Nights Like This
- Fred Again, Skepta & Plaqueboymax – Victory Lap
- Jim Legxacy & Dave – 3x
- Kwn – Do What I Say
- Myles Smith – Nice To Meet You
- Olivia Dean – Man I Need
- PinkPantheress – Illegal
- Raye – Where Is My Husband!
- Tim Duzit – Kat Slater
Winner: Olivia Dean
Best Newcomer
- DC3
- EsDeeKid
- Finessekid
- Jim Legxacy
- Kwn
- Namesbliss
- Nia Smith
- Sekou
- Skye Newman
- YT
Winner: DC3
Video of the Year
- Pozer – Shanghigh Noon
- FKA Twigs – Eusexua
- Jim Legxacy – Father
- Little Simz – Flood
- Raye – Where Is My Husband!
- Skepta & Fred Again.. – Back 2 Back
Winner: RAYE
Best R&B / Soul act
- Elmiene
- Flo
- Kwn
- Odeal
- Olivia Dean
- Sasha Keable
Winner: Flo
Best Alternative Music Act
- Alt Blk Era
- Blood Orange
- Hak Baker
- Michael Kiwanuka
- Nova Twins
- Rachel Chinouriri
Winner: Nova Twins
Best Grime Act
- Chip
- Jayahadadream
- Kasst 8
- Ruff Sqwad
- Scorcher
- Wiley
Winner: Chip
Best Hip-Hop Act
- Aitch
- Asco
- Catch
- Central Cee
- D-Block Europe
- Kojey Radical
- Little Simz
- Loyle Carner
- Wretch 32
- Youngs Teflon
Winner: Central Cee
Best Drill Act
- 36
- Booter Bee
- Chy Cartier
- Esdeekid
- K-Trap
- Leostaytrill
- Nemzzz
- Pozer
- Twin S
- Wohdee
Winner: Twin S
Best International Act
- Ayra Starr
- Cardi B
- Clipse
- Gunna
- Kehlani
- Leon Thomas
- Mariah The Scientist
- Moliy
- Tyla
- Vybz Kartel
Winner: Ayra Starr
Best Media Personality
- Bemi Orojuogun (Bus Aunty)
- DJ Ag
- In My Opinion
- Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe (Melissa’s Wardrobe)
- Nadia Jae
- Niko Omilana
- Pk Humble
- Remi Burgz
- Uche Natori
- Winners Talking
Winner: Niko Omilana
Best Performance in a TV Show / Film
- Aaron Pierre – Mufasa: The Lion King
- Ashley Thomas – Hostage
- Ashley Walters – Adolescence
- Cynthia Erivo – Wicked
- Damson Idris – F1
- Dayo Koleosho – Eastenders
- Lennie James – Mr Loverman
- Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths
- Stephen Graham – Adolesence
- Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Best African Music Act
- Adekunle Gold
- Ayra Starr
- Davido
- Joshua Baraka
- Moliy
- Rema
- Shallipopi
- Tiwa Savage
- Tyla
- Wizkid
Winner: Wizkid
Best Caribbean Music Act
- Ayetian
- Lila Iké
- Masicka
- Shenseea
- Vybz Kartel
- Yung Bredda
Winner: Vybz Kartel
Best Jazz Act
- Cktrl
- Ego Ella May
- Ezra Collective
- Kokoroko
- Nubya Garcia
- Yazmin Lacey
Winner: Ezra Collective
Best Electronic Act
- FKA Twigs
- Jazzy
- Kilimanjaro
- PinkPantheress
- Salute
- Sherelle
Winner: Sherelle
Best Gospel Act
- Annatoria
- DC3
- Faith Child
- Imrhan
- Sondae
- Still Shadey
Winner: DC3
Best Producer
- Inflo
- Jae5
- Miles Clinton James
- P2J
- Sammy Soso
- Zach Nahome
Winner: P2J
MOBO Lifetime Achievement
Slick Rick
MOBO Global Songwriter
Pharrell Williams
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