The milestone ceremony, which moved to Manchester for its 30th year, was hosted by comedian Eddie Kadi and hip hop star Eve. According to The Independent - Main, Eve described the awards as important for celebrating Black music and artists. Kanya King CBE, the founder and CEO, stated that bringing the awards to Manchester in their 30th anniversary year is meaningful and allows celebration beyond one night, adding that it made sense as music is in Manchester's DNA.
Olivia Dean dominated the awards, winning three trophies: Song of the Year for 'Man I Need', Album of the Year for 'The Art of Loving', and Best Female Act. Her hat-trick follows her success at the Brit Awards, which also took place at Co-op Live. Slick Rick received the MOBO lifetime achievement award, and according to major media reports, he performed alongside Estelle at the ceremony. In his press conference, Slick Rick thanked Manchester for the honor.
Bringing the awards to Manchester in their 30th anniversary year is meaningful and allows celebration beyond one night.
Other key winners included Pharrell Williams, who received the Global Songwriter Award. According to The Independent - Main, Daley described Pharrell Williams as deserving of the Global Songwriter Award. Multiple reports indicate that DC3 won two awards: Best Newcomer and Best Gospel. Ezra Collective won Best Jazz Act, with member Femi Koleoso expressing gratitude for their win in a press conference. Stephen Graham won Best Performance in a TV Show or Film for his role in Adolescence. Research from two sources shows Jim Legxacy won Best Male Act, and RAYE won Video of the Year for 'Where Is My Husband!', directed by The Reids.
The event featured a star-studded lineup of performers, including Olivia Dean, FLO, Slick Rick & Estelle, Tiwa Savage, Aitch, Myles Smith, Shenseea, and a Grime medley with Chip, D Double E, Nolay, Scorcher, and Wiley curated by DJ Target. Aitch and Myles Smith were added as performers, according to research from two sources. The awards were livestreamed on the Amazon Music UK channel on Twitch, and a 'MOBO Awards 2026: Access All Areas' program will air on BBC One on March 27 at 11.25pm, according to research from two sources. The exact viewership numbers for the livestream and subsequent BBC broadcast have not been released.
The MOBO Awards are important for celebrating Black music and artists.
Kanya King founded the MOBO Awards in 1996 out of frustration that Black music wasn't being properly recognised by the mainstream industry, and she remortgaged her house to fund the first ceremony. King, who was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2024 and given six months to live, attended and spoke at the event. Her personal journey underscores the awards' resilience and mission.
Industry background highlights the economic significance of Black music, with research from UK Music finding it accounts for about 80% of the UK's recorded music market, worth £24.5bn of the sector's £30bn revenue. However, a 2024 workforce survey found only a quarter of music industry staff were from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, pointing to ongoing diversity challenges.
It was amazing to be in Manchester for the first time in the ceremony's history.
A week-long MOBO Fringe 2026 programme of free events, gigs, and workshops was held across Manchester from March 19 to March 24, coinciding with the awards. Multiple reports describe it as the biggest event of its kind in MOBO history and billed as a 'city-wide cultural moment'. It included events like club night takeovers, The Black Sound Gala at Whitworth Gallery, and an event at Niamos Centre featuring Studio 88. The fringe officially started with a pre-festival basketball game between Manchester Basketball and the MOBO Awards on March 10 at the Manchester Basketball Performance Centre. The MOBO Summit, in association with Amazon Music, took place on March 24 at Aviva Studios as part of the programme, which was developed with support from Manchester City Council and in partnership with Manchester Music City and over 50 community leaders and creatives. Events were held at venues like Renae, Cupra City Garage, Side Street, and Deaf Institute, featuring highlights like DJ Paulette, BBC Music Introducing, and a celebration of Studio 88. A pre-event fringe festival in Manchester featured industry panel discussions, live music, and workshops, according to research from two sources. The total economic impact or revenue generated for Manchester from hosting the awards and fringe festival has not been disclosed.
Notable attendees included Leigh-Anne Pinnock, who attended with her husband Andre Gray, putting on a united front after she opened up about his 'betrayal', and wore a black floor-length dress with mesh panels and cut-outs. Other attendees, according to multiple reports, included Ryley Isaac, Nia Smith, Richard Blackwood, Estelle, Misha B, Stella Quaresma, Renée Downer, Jorja Douglas, Eve, Olivia Dean, Kojey Radical, and Slick Rick. The exact number of total attendees at the Co-op Live arena has not been confirmed.
Pharrell Williams is deserving of the Global Songwriter Award.
Stephen Graham was joined by his stepfather Mike Fazakerley and half-brother Nathan Fazakerley at the awards to celebrate his win. He stated in a press conference that his MOBO award 'means the world'. His mother died in 2022, just days before his OBE was announced, and he has mixed-race heritage, crediting his stepfather Mike for teaching him about his cultural heritage.
DC3, whose real name is Daniel Chenjerai, is 18 years old and from Northampton, of Zimbabwean heritage. According to BBC News - England, Annastacia Chenjerai described her son as having the ability to 'elevate his music to the next level'. He started writing music in 2016 and recorded professionally for the first time in 2020, and was inspired by Stormzy but hid this from his family due to curse words in the music. According to BBC News - England, DC3 described being nominated for the MOBO Awards as 'crazy' and a win in itself.
I initially wished for just one hit record and was surprised by my success.
Among performers, Estelle won her first MOBOs in 2008 for Best UK Female and Best Song for 'American Boy'. According to Daily Mirror - 3am Showbiz, Estelle described praying for her song 'American Boy' to have a lasting legacy, and it did. She released her latest record 'Stay Alta' last year, describing it as happy and joyful music. According to The Independent - Main, Estelle described it as amazing to be in Manchester for the first time in the ceremony's history. Aitch gained two nominations in 2022 for Album of the Year and Song of the Year, and launched his album '4' last year, which topped the UK independent album chart. According to Daily Mirror - 3am Showbiz, Estelle described being proud of Aitch, who performed at the awards. Myles Smith performed to over 100,000 fans across sold-out shows and had a standout set at Glastonbury last year, according to research from two sources.
Additional context includes Nile Rodgers, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, receiving the Award for Musical Excellence, and has sold over 500 million albums and 75 million singles globally. According to Daily Mirror - 3am Showbiz, Nile Rodgers described initially wishing for just one hit record and being surprised by his success. Eve is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her record 'Scorpion' and will be reimagining it. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Eve described not thinking about her success but focusing on championing new musicians, and mentioned Aitch and Oasis as her favourite Manchester musicians. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Eve described being nervous and excited to host the MOBO Awards.
I prayed for my song 'American Boy' to have a lasting legacy, and it did.
Jim Legxacy's 2025 album 'black british music' reshaped expectations of UK music, according to research from two sources. RAYE's Video of the Year win was directed by The Reids, as noted in research from two sources.
Event logistics included sponsorship by 1664 Bière, and champagne at the arena cost £99 per bottle, according to major media reports. The specific criteria or voting process used to determine the winners have not been detailed publicly, and there are no official statements or reactions from nominees who did not win awards.
Performing with Slick Rick at the MOBO Awards was the 'honour of the year'.
Unknowns remain regarding the awards' impact and reception, including viewership figures, attendance numbers, voting criteria, economic benefits, and reactions from non-winners, which have not been fully disclosed or reported.
He has the ability to 'elevate his music to the next level'.
Pharrell Williams is 'one of the coolest guys on the planet' and we have made records together.
I am proud of Aitch, who performed at the MOBO Awards.
I don't think about my success but focus on championing new musicians.
Mentioned Aitch and Oasis as her favourite Manchester musicians.
It made sense for the awards to be held in Manchester as 'music is in Manchester's DNA'.
Being nominated for the MOBO Awards is 'crazy' and a win in itself.
I was nervous and excited to host the MOBO Awards.