Olivia Dean and Little Simz lead nominations for 2026 MOBO Awards

January 15, 2026 – Radio 854 Music News:

British stars Olivia Dean and Little Simz are among the biggest nominees for the 2026 MOBO Awards, with four nods apiece as the return of one of the UK’s most influential music celebrations gets set for March.

The awards, officially celebrating 30 years of the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards, will take place on Thursday 26 March at Co‑op Live in Manchester — marking the ceremony’s first time in the northern city and part of a series of anniversary festivities.

Leading the Pack

• Olivia Dean is recognised in four major categories including Album of the Year for her acclaimed The Art of Loving, Best Female Act, Best R&B/Soul Act, and Song of the Year for her hit single “Man I Need”.

• Little Simz, already a multi‑MOBO winner, also secured four nominations for Album of the Year (Lotus), Best Female Act, Best Hip Hop Act, and Video of the Year for “Flood”.

Their success reflects hugely successful years for both artists — Dean with her chart‑topping blend of soul and pop, and Simz continuing to solidify her place as one of UK hip‑hop and soul’s most respected voices.

Other Standout Nominees

Joining Dean and Simz at the top of the nomination list are rising stars kwn and Jim Legxacy, each also earning four nods across breakthrough categories including Best Newcomer and Song of the Year.

Artists such as Central Cee, FLO, PinkPantheress and Skepta feature across three major category placements, recognising a broad span of genres from hip‑hop to contemporary R&B and alternative sounds.

The story doesn’t stop with music: acting and media categories highlight talents such as Cynthia Erivo, Stephen Graham, and content creators shaping the cultural conversation today.

Celebrating Black Music and Culture

The MOBO Awards have long stood as Europe’s foremost celebration of Black music and culture — spotlighting both established and emerging talent from the UK and beyond. This year’s Manchester show promises not only a night of awards, but a wider MOBO Fringe Festival of performances, workshops and panels aimed at uplifting the next generation of creatives.

Public voting is now open for select categories, and tickets for the main ceremony are available via the official MOBO website.