The 2025 MOBO Awards, held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, celebrated the best in Black music and culture. The night’s biggest winner, Bashy, took home Best Hip-Hop Act and Album of the Year for Being Poor Is Expensive, an album that actually deserves its accolades: a sharply observed, deeply felt portrait of race, mental health, and the working-class struggle in Britain.

Darkoo walked away with Best Female Act and Song of the Year for Favourite Girl featuring Dess Dior, while Odeal snagged Best Newcomer and Best R&B/Soul Act after a strong year with his EP Sunday at Zuri’s and mini-album Lustropolis.

Nigerian singer Ayra Starr made history by winning both Best African Music Act and Best International Act, a first for an African woman. Central Cee was named Best Male Act, tying with Stormzy as the most-decorated rapper in MOBO history, each holding seven awards.

Other winners included Mnelia for Video of the Year (My Man), and Jacob Anderson, who won Best Performance in a TV Show/Film for Interview with the Vampire. The night also honored Olympic gold medalist Dame Denise Lewis with the Paving the Way award for her contributions to sport and culture.

Live performances from Bashy, Darkoo, and Odeal added life to a ceremony that, despite some safe choices, remains an important marker of Black British artistry.

See the full list of winners below.

Best male act

WINNER: Central Cee

Bashy

D-Block Europe

Ghetts

Nemzzz

Sampha

Best female act

Cleo Sol

WINNER: Darkoo

Jorja Smith

Little Simz

Nia Archives

Raye

Album of the year

WINNER: Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive

Cleo Sol – Gold

Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose

Jorja Smith – Falling Or Flying

Sampha – Lahai

Skrapz – Reflection

Song of the year

Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – “Band4band”

Leostaytrill – “Pink Lemonade”

Chase & Status, Stormzy – “Backbone”

WINNER: Darkoo Feat. Dess Dior – “Favourite Girl”

WINNER: Mnelia – “My Man” (Directed By Femi Bello)

Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – “Hocus Pocus” (Directed By Felix Brady)

Sampha – “Only” (Directed By Dexter Navy)

Dionne Brown As Queenie In Queenie

Caroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book II: Ghost

Ghetts As Krazy In Supacell

Tosin Cole As Michael In Supacell