The 2025 Mobo Awards spotlight rising stars and established names like Central Cee and Jorja Smith, with nominations spanning genres from drill to R&B and electronic

The 2025 Mobo Awards have unveiled a star-studded shortlist, with UK rap sensation Central Cee and R&B powerhouse Jorja Smith leading the charge for multiple nominations. Central Cee, a West London rapper known for his dominance in the UK drill scene, is poised to make history at the Mobo Awards. With 25 million monthly streams, the artist has yet to release his debut album but has already earned three nominations this year, including Best Male Artist, Best Drill Act, and Song of the Year for his hit single Band4Band. This marks the third consecutive nomination for Central Cee in the Best Male Artist category, positioning him to potentially become the first artist to win the award three times, tying with Stormzy.

Central Cee faces tough competition from names like Bashy, Sampha, and D-Block Europe in the Best Male Artist category. Meanwhile, Jorja Smith, celebrated for her soulful and mature approach to R&B, is recognised with three nominations, including Best Female Artist, Album of the Year for her critically acclaimed Falling or Flying, and a nod for Best R&B Act.

Another standout nominee is Cleo Sol, who, like Smith, is nominated for both Best Female Artist and Album of the Year for her evocative work Gold. Known for her collaborations with the soul collective Sault, Sol’s recognition further solidifies her place in British music.

Among the rising stars, Nia Archives is one of the most exciting names on the 2025 Mobo shortlist. The jungle artist, who has made waves with her debut album Silence Is Loud, earned nominations for Best Female Artist and Best Electronic Act. “It just feels surreal,” Archives shared with the BBC, expressing gratitude for the recognition. “I think it’s a really good time for black British musicians, producers, and creatives. So it’s really cool for the Mobos to celebrate that.”

Pop star Raye, who enjoyed a record-breaking year, also received a second consecutive nomination for Best Female Artist. Although she couldn’t attend the 2024 Mobo ceremony due to a tour in Australia, Raye will be hoping to repeat her win in 2025. She faces competition from Smith and Sol in the category, as well as street soul artist Cleo Sol.

The Album of the Year category sees strong contenders with deeply personal and reflective works. Actor-turned-rapper Bashy returns after a 15-year hiatus with Being Poor Is Expensive, which tells a gripping narrative of his childhood. The album also earned him nominations for Best Male Artist and Best Hip-Hop Act. Other albums in the running for Album of the Year include Ghetts’ On Purpose, With Purpose, Sampha’s Lahai, which explores themes of fatherhood, and Skrapz’s Reflections, his first Top 10 release.

The international scene is also represented in the Mobos, with Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar among the nominees for Best International Act. However, the category also highlights African talent, with South African star Tyla, Nigerian artists Tems and Ayra Starr, and Nigerian rapper Asake making strong appearances. Tyla, best known for her global hit Water, is considered a front-runner for the prize, along with Tems and Ayra Starr, who made history earlier this year as the first Afrobeats artist to perform at Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.

The 2025 Mobo Awards will take place on 18 February at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, where the winners will be crowned in a star-studded ceremony that promises to celebrate black music talent from across the globe. For artists like Nia Archives, the Mobos are an important platform for recognition, especially with the ceremony’s move outside of London to cities like Leeds and Bradford. Reflecting on her own experience attending the awards in 2015, Archives recalled how watching Lethal Bizzle perform from the “nosebleed seats” inspired her to pursue a career in music.

“The Mobos are impactful because they reach out to regional towns and cities,” Archives added. “It’s really cool that they decided to take the event outside London, and it was so inspiring for me at that age.”

The 2025 Mobo Awards look set to continue their tradition of celebrating the richness of black British music, with a diverse mix of genres and exciting new talent. From drill to R&B, and with African artists gaining recognition, the ceremony will highlight the best of the global music scene.