Summary

  • Bashy wins album of the year after a 15-year hiatus with his 2024 record Being Poor Is Expensive at the Mobo Awards

  • UK rapper Central Cee made history by becoming the first artist to win best male act three times at the awards show, which are being held in Newcastle

  • Odeal is also dominating the night, as he's taken home trophies for best newcomer and best R&B/soul act

  • Darkoo bagged best female act and best song of the year, while the inaugural impact award went to Vybz Kartel

  • The awards show, which celebrates black music and culture in the UK and beyond, has featured performances from Spice, Krept & Konan and Bashy

  1. ALT BLK ERA takes home best alternative music actpublished at 21:26 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February
    Breaking

    ALT BLK ERAImage source, Getty Images

    The award for the best alternative music act goes to ALT BLK ERA.

  2. Nominees for the best alternative music act are...published at 21:23 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    It's time for the best alternative music act. Here's the nominees:

    • Alt Blk Era
    • Bob Vylan
    • Hak Baker
    • Kid Bookie
    • Native James
    • Spider
  3. It's been a history-making year for UK rapper Central Ceepublished at 21:23 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Central CeeImage source, Getty Images

    UK rapper Central Cee has made Mobos history, becoming the first artist to win best male act three times.

    The West London rapper, also known as Cench, has become one of the UK's biggest talents. He was the most-streamed UK rap artist in 2024, according to music platform GRM daily.

    After more than a decade in the game and eight top 10 singles, in January this year he decided it was finally time to drop an album - ironically titled You Can't Rush Greatness.

    As well as a string of hits, including 2023's song of the summer Sprinter, he has picked up multiple Mobo awards and been nominated for a prestigious Ivor Novello prize.

    He's also teamed up with artists including Brit Award winner Raye, 21 Savage and US star Gunna.

  4. 'This is my first award and certainly not my last' - Odealpublished at 21:20 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Odeal, who performed his hit Soh-Soh earlier in the ceremony, accepts his award for best R&B/soul act.

    The singer thanks his family and team as he speaks on the Mobos stage.

    "All the creatives, all the friends, all the artists... I want to thank you for supporting me," Odeal says.

    The artists adds: "I have no words, this is insane...This is my first award and certainly not my last".

  5. The award for the best R&B/soul act goes to...published at 21:17 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February
    Breaking

    Odeal, who won in a crowded category, beating out nominees:

    • Cleo Sol
    • Elmiene
    • Flo
    • Jaz Karis
    • Jorja Smith
    • Nippa
    • Sasha Keable
    • Shae Universe
    • Sinead Harnett
  6. Ayra Starr, the first woman to win best African act in 16 yearspublished at 21:13 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    This was a crowded category with 10 nominees including heavyweights like Asake, Tems and Tyla but beating them all was Ayra Starr - the first woman to win this award in 16 years.

    "This is my first Mobos and the first time I'm winning a Mobo Award," the Nigerian singer says as she collected her award before thanking a long list of her supporters.

    "I'm actually shaking right now, I'm very nervous."

    Ayra StarrImage source, Getty Images
  7. The award for best African music act goes to...published at 21:08 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February
    Breaking

    Ayra Starr, who has beat out:

    • Asake (Nigeria)
    • Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria)
    • King Promise (Ghana)
    • Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
    • Rema (Nigeria)
    • Shallipopi (Nigeria)
    • Tems (Nigeria)
    • Tyla (South Africa)
    • Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
  8. Central Cee makes history by winning best male actpublished at 21:03 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February
    Breaking

    Central Cee

    UK rapper Central Cee has made history tonight by winning the best male act for a third time.

    He's not here to accept the award, but presenter Eddi Kadi takes it for him, calling it an "honour" to accept on his behalf.

    The 26-year-old is now tied with Stormzy on seven awards, after winning the best male award for the second year in a row.

  9. Best male act is now uppublished at 20:58 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    And here's who is hoping to take home a trophy tonight:

    • Bashy
    • Central Cee
    • D-Block Europe
    • Ghetts
    • Nemzz
    • Sampha

    Remember, if Central Cee wins this one, he'll become the first artist in Mobos history to win the award three times.

  10. 'This is for every artist that ain't got a billion streams'published at 20:58 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    ScorcherImage source, Getty Images

    Scorcher enjoyed his moment after being named this year's best grime act, taking his time to collect his award on stage.

    He gave a shoutout to Tottenham but a particular thanks was saved for his kids who he says inspired him to continue making music.

    "I was gonna stop making music six months ago but they said to me no," he says.

    "This Mobo here, this beautiful award, this ain't even my award," he continues.

    "This award's for every artist that ain't got a billion streams, that ain't got a million followers, that ain't got no distribution label, no manager but they know their music's good.

    "I hope you lot pick it up next year."

  11. This year's best grime act is...published at 20:52 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February
    Breaking

    Scorcher is taking home the award for grime act of the year.

  12. Time for best grime actpublished at 20:51 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    And the contenders are:

    • Chip
    • D Double E
    • Duppy
    • Kruz Leone
    • Manga Saint Hilare
    • Scorcher
  13. Odeal is up next with his song Soh-Sohpublished at 20:50 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    The next performance is from Odeal, who sings his hit song Soh-Soh.

    Odeal has been nominated for song of the year, best newcomer and best R&B/soul act at this year's Mobo Awards.

  14. Best media personality goes to 90s baby showpublished at 20:44 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February
    Breaking

    The winner of the best media personality award at this year's Mobo Awards is...90s baby show, which is hosted by Fred Santana, Temi Alchemy and VP.

    They thank their wives, families and community and say, "God is good".

  15. Who's up for best media personality?published at 20:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    We're not just celebrating music tonight, the Mobos also recognise achievement in acting and presenting.

    Let's take a look at the nominees in this category:

    • 90's Baby Show
    • AJ Odudu
    • Chuckie Online
    • Craig Mitch
    • Henrie Kwushue
    • Madame Joyce
    • Micah Richards
    • Specs Gonzalez
    • The Receipts Podcast
    • Zeze Millz
  16. 'I tried to use Chat GPT to write this'published at 20:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Darkoo collecting her awardImage source, PA Media

    That's how best female act Darkoo accepted her award on stage.

    "But I didn't really know how to make it work so I'm just gonna freestyle."

    The British Nigerian rapper and singer was up against some established competition in this category and thanked God and her family for believing in her.

    "It's been a rollercoaster but they believed in me for the past year and I've been shutting it down."

  17. The best female act goes to...published at 20:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February
    Breaking

    This year's winner for the best female act award is...rapper and singer Darkoo.

  18. Best female act is the first up...published at 20:35 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    This year's nominees are...

    • Cleo Sol
    • Darkoo
    • Jorja Smith
    • Little Simz
    • Nia Archives
    • Raye

    Last year Escapism singer Raye took home the trophy.

  19. Bashy kicks off Mobos with opening performancepublished at 20:31 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    Bashy begins the awards show with a performance of How Black Men Lose Their Smile.

    He told us back on the red carpet earlier how this song came from him wanting to speak about micro-aggressions that people who are "othered" experience - something he says he's dealt with himself.

    The rapper-turned-actor is up for three awards tonight - best male act, album of the year and best hip-hop act.

  20. Let's get ready to Mobospublished at 20:25 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February

    The 27th Mobo Awards - after a rather fashionably late start - are now officially under way.

    We'll be bringing you live updates on the night's big winners, standout performances and more. Stick with us.