The countdown is officially on for the 2026 MOBO Awards, set to take over Manchester, England, on March 26, in what promises to be one of the most culturally relevant nights on the global music calendar. Celebrating Music of Black Origin, the MOBOs continue their legacy of honouring excellence across genres that shape Black music and culture worldwide.
This year’s ceremony will present 20 award categories, spanning music, media, and performance. Among the most anticipated honours are Album of the Year, Best Female Act, Best Male Act, Song of the Year, Best International Act, Best Newcomer, Video of the Year, and genre-driven categories such as Best Hip Hop Act, Best Grime Act, Best Drill Act, Best R&B/Soul Act, Best African Music Act, and Best Caribbean Music Act. The awards also extend beyond music, with Best Performance in a TV Show and Best Media Personality rounding out the slate.
The standout category this year is Best Caribbean Music Act, which features a mix of veterans and new-generation hitmakers. Trinidad and Tobago’s Yung Bredda stands out as the sole non-Jamaican nominee in the category, marking a major milestone for Trinidadian soca on the international stage.
Yung Bredda enjoyed an extraordinary 2025, dominating the carnival season with what many dubbed the hottest soca track of the year, “Greatest Bend Ova”. The song’s global impact was underscored by international remixes featuring American R&B and pop star Chlöe Bailey and Ghanaian breakout sensation Moliy, pushing soca further into the global mainstream.
Sharing the Caribbean spotlight is Ayetian, earning his first-ever MOBO nomination. He joins an all-star Jamaican lineup that includes Lila Iké (her third nomination), Masicka (first nomination), Shenseea (fifth nomination), and dancehall veteran Vybz Kartel, a three-time MOBO nominee who also received the MOBO Impact Award at last year’s ceremony. Kartel is also nominated for Best International Act, spotlighting his global influence and continued dominance.
Beyond the Caribbean category, Jamaican talent continues to score nominations. DJ AG is in the running for Best Media Personality, while British-Jamaican singer Olivia Dean enjoys a standout year with multiple nominations. Her critically acclaimed compilation The Art of Loving is nominated for Album of the Year, while her track “Man I Need” earns a nod for Song of the Year. Dean is also recognised in the Best R&B/Soul Act category.
The 2026 MOBO Awards are shaping up to be a night of musical excellence. From soca and dancehall to R&B, hip hop, and beyond, this year’s nominations reflect a global soundscape and a Caribbean presence that continues to resonate far beyond its shores.
