British rap star Central Cee, Afrobeats star Ayra Starr, and dancehall legend Vybz Kartel were all winners at the MOBO Awards (Music Of Black Origin) in Newcastle, England, on Tuesday evening (Feb. 18).
Central Cee scooped the best male act prize for the second year in a row and gave the Londoner his seventh MOBO trophy overall. The win puts him level with Stormzy as the most-decorated UK rapper in the awards’ history.
British-Nigerian Afrobeats star Darkoo was victorious in the best female act category, earning the 23-year-old her debut MOBO Award. She also performed at the ceremony alongside Spice, Krept & Konan, Odeal, Nova Twins, Bashy and more.
Song of the year went to Darkoo for her Dess Dior collaboration “Favourite Girl,” while Benin-born, Nigeria-raised Ayra Starr won best international artist (the first African female to win the prize) and best African music act (the first female to win for 16 years).
Vybz Kartel won the honorary MOBO Impact award, which in recent years has been awarded to pop trio Sugababes and boxer Frank Bruno. Ezra Collective prevailed in the best jazz category for the third time in their career; the London group are nominated for four awards at this year’s BRIT Awards on March 1.
The ceremony was hosted by comedian Eddie Kadi and Love Island star Indiyah Polack and broadcast live on YouTube. Highlights from the ceremony will air on BBC One on Friday evening (Feb. 21).
Mobo Awards 2025: full list of winners
Best male act: Central Cee
Best female act: Darkoo
Best newcomer: Odeal
Album of the year: Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
Song of the year: Darkoo – Favourite Girl (ft Dess Dior)
Video of the year: Mnelia – My Man (directed by Femi Bello)
Best hip-hop act: Bashy
Best grime act: Scorcher
Best drill act: Pozer
Best R&B/soul act: Odeal
Best media personality: 90s Baby Show
Best African music act: Ayra Starr
Best performance in a TV show/film: Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With the Vampire
Best electronic/dance music act: Tsha
Best gospel act: Annatoria
Best jazz act: Ezra Collective
Best producer: Juls
Best Caribbean music act: Shenseea
Best alternative music act: Alt Blk Era
Best international act: Ayra Starr
MOBO Paving the Way Award: Denise Lewis
MOBO Impact award: Vybz Kartel
