Knucks, Little Simz, Digga D, Mahalia & More Among Nominees For 2022 MOBOs
Written by SOURCE on November 11, 2022
The MOBO Awards are always a special occasion, but this year it’s an even bigger occasion. It’s been 25 years since MOBO founder Kanya King launched the award ceremony to celebrate Black British music and to celebrate, they’re returning to London to host the event at the OVO Arena Wembley.
As ever, there aren’t really any categories you could call with ease and there’s sure to be a few surprise wins on the night, but included in this year’s list of nominees are Knucks, Little Simz, Digga D, Mahalia, Miraa May, D-Block Europe, Central Cee and many, many more. There are also two new categories—Best Alternative Music Act and Best Electronic/Dance Act—featuring names such as Nova Twins, Kid Bookie, Nia Archives and SHERELLE.
Sharing her thoughts on this momentous anniversary, MOBO founder Kanya King CBE said: “It’s a proud moment to see MOBO Awards return to London for our big 25-year milestone, which will see us celebrating our legacy, as well as paying it forward to the biggest stars of the scene. 25 years ago, I put my house and sanity on the line to make the first MOBO Awards happen at the Connaught Rooms and what an incredible journey it has been.
“MOBO continues to create a cultural and social footprint. It will continue to be an agent for positive change in arts, culture, music, and society as a whole. Via our MOBOLISE mentoring platform, we aim to truly create change, opportunities and equality in the workplace, to level the playing field at entry level all the way up to the boardroom, but there is still work to be done. Meanwhile, our 25th anniversary show will be the biggest celebration we have ever created. I want MOBO to continue being a beacon for the best talent this country has to offer. Here’s to the next 25 years!”
With voting now open, check out the full list of nominees below.
BEST PRODUCER SUPPORTED BY COMPLEX UK
INFLO
JAE5
LABRINTH
M1ONTHEBEAT
P2J
TSB
BEST MALE ACT
CENTRAL CEE
DAVE
D-BLOCK EUROPE
DIGGA D
KNUCKS
TION WAYNE
BEST FEMALE ACT
LITTLE SIMZ
MAHALIA
MIRAA MAY
MS BANKS
PINKPANTHERESS
TIANA MAJOR9
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
AITCH – CLOSE TO HOME
KNUCKS – ALPHA PLACE
KOJEY RADICAL – REASON TO SMILE
LITTLE SIMZ – SOMETIMES I MIGHT BE INTROVERT
M HUNCHO – CHASING EUPHORIA
MIRAA MAY – TALES OF A MIRACLE
SONG OF THE YEAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH LUCOZADE
AITCH FEAT. ASHANTI – ‘BABY’
CENTRAL CEE – ‘DOJA’
DAVE – ‘STARLIGHT’
DIGGA D & STILLBRICKIN – ‘PUMP 101’
DREYA MAC, FELIXTHE1ST & FINCH FETTI – ‘OWN BRAND (BADDIE)’
POTTER PAYPER FEAT. TIGGS DA AUTHOR – ‘GANGSTERITUS’
BEST NEWCOMER IN ASSOCIATION WITH ASOS
AMARIA BB
BRU-C
CAT BURNS
CLAVISH
CRISTALE
FLO
JBEE
NEMZZZ
NIA ARCHIVES
SWITCHOTR
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
CENTRAL CEE – ‘DOJA’ (DIRECTED BY COLE BENNETT)
HEADIE ONE, ABRA CADABRA & BANDOKAY – ‘CAN’T BE US’ (DIRECTED BY HEADIE ONE & DON PROD)
KNUCKS – ‘ALPHA HOUSE/HIDE & SEEK’ (DIRECTED BY EMILE EBRAHIM KELLY)
KOJEY RADICAL FEAT. KNUCKS – ‘PAYBACK’ (DIRECTED BY CHARLIE SARSFIELD & EJIRO DAFÉ)
LITTLE SIMZ FEAT. OBONGJAYAR – ‘POINT AND KILL’ (DIRECTED BY EBENEZA BLANCHE)
MAHALIA – ‘WHATEVER SIMON SAYS’ (DIRECTED BY MAHALIA)
BEST R&B/SOUL ACT
ELLA MAI
MAHALIA
MIRAA MAY
NAO
SHAKKA
TIANA MAJOR9
BEST GRIME ACT
BLAY VISION
D DOUBLE E
FRISCO
KAMAKAZE
MANGA SAINT HILARE
NOVELIST
BEST HIP-HOP ACT IN ASSOCIATION WITH MIXTAPE MADNESS
D-BLOCK EUROPE
KNUCKS
KOJEY RADICAL
LITTLE SIMZ
POTTER PAYPER
YOUNGS TEFLON
BEST DRILL ACT SUPPORTED BY TRENCH
CENTRAL CEE
DIGGA D
HEADIE ONE
IVORIAN DOLL
K-TRAP
KWENGFACE
M24
RUSS MILLIONS
UNKNOWN T
V9
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
BEYONCÉ
BURNA BOY
CHRIS BROWN
DRAKE
JACK HARLOW
JAZMINE SULLIVAN
KENDRICK LAMAR
SKILLIBENG
SUMMER WALKER
TEMS
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW/FILM
DAMSON IDRIS AS FRANKLIN SAINT – SNOWFALL
DANIEL KALUUYA AS OTIS “OJ” HAYWOOD JR. – NOPE
JASMINE JOBSON AS JAQ – TOP BOY
KANE ROBINSON (KANO) AS SULLY – TOP BOY
LASHANA LYNCH AS NOMI – NO TIME TO DIE
SAMUEL ADEWUNMI AS HERO – YOU DON’T KNOW ME
BEST MEDIA PERSONALITY
BIG ZUU
CHUCKIE ONLINE
CHUNKZ
HARRY PINERO
KSI
MO GILLIGAN
MUNYA CHAWAWA
NELLA ROSE
YUNG FILLY
ZEZE MILLZ
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT IN ASSOCIATION WITH MARSHALL
BIG JOANIE
BOB VYLAN
KID BOOKIE
LOATHE
NOVA TWINS
SKUNK ANANSIE
BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ACT SUPPORTED BY MIXMAG
ANZ
ELIZA ROSE
FKA TWIGS
JAX JONES
NIA ARCHIVES
SHERELLE
BEST AFRICAN MUSIC ACT SUPPORTED BY AFROZONS
ADEKUNLE GOLD (NIGERIA)
ASAKE (NIGERIA)
BURNA BOY (NIGERIA)
FIREBOY DML (NIGERIA)
KABZA DE SMALL (SOUTH AFRICA)
OMAH LAY (NIGERIA)
OXLADE (NIGERIA)
PHEELZ (NIGERIA)
REMA (NIGERIA)
TEMS (NIGERIA)
BEST GOSPEL ACT SUPPORTED BY PREMIER GOSPEL
ASHA ELIA
CALLEDOUT MUSIC
RACHEL KERR
REBLAH
SARAH TEIBO
STILL SHADEY
BEST JAZZ ACT SUPPORTED BY JAZZ FM
BLUE LAB BEATS
DOOMCANNON
EGO ELLA MAY
EZRA COLLECTIVE
JAS KAYSER
KOKOROKO
BEST CARIBBEAN MUSIC ACT
KOFFEE
POPCAAN
SEAN PAUL
SHENSEEA
SKILLIBENG
SPICE
