Central Sea and Jorja Smith among Mobo’s nominees

He is yet to release his debut album, but Central C can become the first musician to win Best Male Artist at the Mobo Awards three times.

gave West London rapper Currently tied with Stormzy, who also has two wins, but secured a third consecutive nomination when the 2025 shortlist was announced on Wednesday morning.

He is competing against stars including Bashi, Samfa and D-Block Europe for the award, which he last won in February. The musician has also been nominated for Drill Act and Song of the Year, for Top 10 Hit Band 4 Band.

Other triple nominations include R&B singers Jorja Smith and Cleo Soul. Winners will be announced next February.

Founded in 1996, Mobos celebrate black music in the UK and beyond.

This year’s nominees include jungle artist Nia Archives, who is up for Best Female and Best Electronic Act after the success of her debut album Silence Is Loud.

“It just feels surreal, but it’s nice to be recognized for what I’m doing,” she told the BBC.

“I think it’s a really good time for black British musicians, producers and creators. So it’s really good for Moboz to celebrate that.”

Pop star Ray, who has already enjoyed A record-breaking yearHighlighting her achievements with her second consecutive nomination for Best Female.

I won the prize. The latest event, in Sheffieldbut was unable to attend due to tour commitments in Australia.

Her competition includes street soul singer Jorja Smith and R&B singer Cleo Soul – best known for her work with the soul collective Sault.

Both are also up for album of the year, recognizing their vital, mature eyes for British soul: Cleo Sol for Gold and Jorja Smith for Falling or Flying.

Actor Ashley Thomas was also recognized in the Best Album category, after breaking a 15-year hiatus and returning to his rap alter ego, Bashi.

His record, Being Poor Is Expensive, an emotionally gripping account of his childhood, also earned him nominations for Best Male and Best Hip-Hop Act.

Album of the Year nominees include Gates’ similar autobiography On Purpose, With Purpose; Simpha’s Lahai, a musical about fatherhood inspired by his young daughter; and West London rapper Scraps’ dense Reflections – his first top 10 release.

Former winners Beyonce And Kendrick Lamar Among the nominees are Best International Act, but the category is more notable for promoting African artists.

TylaThe South African star, whose Silky Seduction anthem Water became a global hit last year, is the front-runner for the prize along with Nigerian singers Tams. Ira Starr – who became the first Afrobeats artist to play Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage earlier this summer.

He is shortlisted by Nigerian rapper and singer Aske, as well as American musicians Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stalin and Gloryla.

They will find out who wins at a star-studded ceremony at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on 18 February 2025.

New Archives said it was important that major events like Mobos were held outside of London, recalling that when she came to her hometown of Leeds in 2015, she found Lethal Bizzle “a nosebleed”. She was impressed by the seats.

“When you have moments of access to regional towns and cities like Leeds and Bradford, it’s really impressive as a young person.

“It’s really good that Mobos decided to do this and it was really inspiring for me at that age.”

Best male action

• be
• Central c
• D Block Europe
• Gates
• Nimzzzz
• Simpha

Best women act

• Clue Sol
• Darko
• George Smith
• Little Sims
• New Archives
• Ray

Album of the year

• Bashi – Being poor is expensive.
• Clue Sol – Gold
• Ghetts – on purpose, with purpose
• Jorja Smith – Fall or Fly
• Sampah – Lahai
• Skrapz – Reflections

Song of the Year

• Central C feat. Lil Baby – Band 4 Band
• Chase and Status, Storm – Spine
• Dark feat. Des Dyer – Favorite Girl
• Jordan Aditonji – Kehlani
• Leostaytrill – Pink Lemonade
• Odeal – Soh – Soh

Best newcomer

• Chy Cartier
• Alumni
• Fimiguerrero
• Flowerlove
• Jordan Aditonji
• Lane
• Leostaytrill
• Miles Smith
• Odile
• The poser

Video of the year

• Makes – Mini Me
• Minelia – My man
• Raye – Birth
• Sampha—only
• Skepta – Gas Me Up (Continued)
• Unknown T feat. Lowell Corner – Hocus Pocus

Best R&B/Soul Act

• Clue Sol
• Alumni
• Flu
• Jazz Kariz
• George Smith
• Napa
• Odile
• Sasha Cable
• The universe
• Sinead Harnett

Dirty action at best

• shut up
• D. Double E
• Dippy
• Cruz Leon
• Manga Saint Hilary
• Scorcher

Best hip hop act

• be
• Crystal
• Heidi One
• Nines
• The potter pays
• Scraps

Best drill act

• 163 Margs
• Central c
• Heidi One
• Caro Keys
• K-Trap
• The poser

Best international act

• can come
• Ira Starr
• Beyonce
• Glorella
• Kendrick Lamar
• Lie down
• Megan was the stallion
• Nicki Minaj
• The Thames
• Tyla

Best Performance in a TV Show/Movie

• Angela Winter as Yoland Truman in Eastenders
• Caroline Chikezi as Noma in Power Book II: Ghost
• Diane Parrish as Denise Fox in Eastenders
• Devon Brown as Queen in Queenie
• Ghetts As Krazy In Supacell
• Jacob Anderson as Lois in Interview with the Vampire
• Jasmine Jobson as Jack in Topboy
• Josh Tedco as a teaser in Supercell
• Kingsley Ben Adair as Bob Marley in Bob Marley: One Love
• Towson Cole as Michael in Spacial

Best media personality

• The 90’s Baby Show
• AJ Odo
• Chucky Online
• Craig Mitch
• Henry Cowshew
• Madam Joyce
• Micah Richards
• Details Gonzalez
• The Receipts Podcast
• Zees Mills

Best African Music Act

• Aske (Nigeria)
• Aira Star (Nigeria)
• Bnxn and Ruger (Nigeria)
• King’s Promise (Ghana)
• Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
• Rima (Nigeria)
• Shlippo (Nigeria)
• Thames (Nigeria)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (South Africa)

Best Caribbean Music Act

• Popcorn
• Shensi
• skill
• Spice
• brave
• YG Marley

The best jazz act ever

• Amy Goodega
• Blue Lab Beats
• Ego Ella May
• Ezra Collective
• Kokoroko
• Yusuf Diez

Best alternative music act

• Alt Blk away
• Bob Whelan
• Hock Baker
• Baby Bucky
• Native James
• The spider

Best electronic/dance act

• Eliza Rose
• New Archives
• Pinkpanthus
• hello
• shy girl
• Tisha

Best producer

• Sebets
• Inflow
• July
• M1OnTheBeat
• P2J
• Sammy Soso

The best practice of the gospel

• Anatoria
• Imran
• Limoblaze
• Riblah
• Still shady
• Wallney Morgan and New Yee