MOBO Awards 2026: Manchester hosts a massive 30th anniversary celebration
From Olivia Dean's major wins to Jim Legxacy's continued hot run, here is our rundown of the main MOBOs talking points.
The MOBO Awards made their Manchester debut last night (March 26), showing up for the awards’ 30th anniversary in style. Following a week of MOBO fringe events and pop-ups around the city, Co-op Live hosted Europe’s biggest celebration of Black music and culture, which felt firmly at home in the north. The city has long taken pride in its music scene and talent, making Manchester an obvious yet overdue fit to host the award ceremony.
Although the MOBO Awards did welcome plenty of London talent, they made the most of their Manchester post code for the night, with hosts Eve and Eddie Kadi keeping the ‘0161’ shout-outs coming. The local pride really landed, with Aitch’s hometown-heavy set of ‘1989’ and ‘Baby’ pulling Manchester talent into focus, and the crowd, as the Gallaghers would say, going “mad fer it.” Being in the room, what stood out most was how strongly the city backs its own, with community and local talent front and centre. Manchester is very firmly on the map.
The scale of the talent championed by the MOBOs was also firmly on show, with live sets across the night from FLO, Tiwa Savage, Myles Smith and Shenseea. Wins for Ayra Starr, Wizkid and Vybz Kartel spoke to the MOBOs’ global reach.
Despite a stacked line-up, one artist remained firmly at the centre of the show — and deservedly so. After sweeping the BRIT Awards 2026 in Manchester just last month (February 28) with four major wins, London’s Olivia Dean returned to Co-op Live to pick up three more at the MOBOs, taking home Best Female Act, Album of the Year and Song of the Year for the mega-hit ‘Man I Need’.
She stepped out in a black ballgown and delivered a stunning debut performance of ‘A Couple Minutes’, drawing the room close and intimate as she told the crowd: “This isn’t just about celebrating Black creativity, it’s about inspiring the next generation.” Olivia Dean is simply impossible not to like and fast becoming a new national darling.
Beyond the headline wins, the night delivered plenty of moments worth revisiting, alongside a powerful recognition of Black contributions to music. Here are the key highlights from the 2026 MOBO Awards.
Grime’s legacy takes the spotlight
A highlight of the evening was the ‘MOBO Salutes: Grime 25’ medley, curated by DJ Target, showcasing 25 years of the defining genre. This felt like one of the night’s most key moments, bringing together major Grime figures including Chip, D Double E, Nolay, Scorcher and Wiley. Performances like this are a reminder of MOBO’s role in platforming genres often overlooked elsewhere, and last night, it was front and centre for a powerful run through of grime’s origins, underlining its lasting impact on UK Black music history.
Special honours: Slick Rick, Pharrell and Nile Rodgers in attendance
The night also made space for two major honours. Pharrell Williams was drawing attention across the room as a global superstar but also his effortlessly cool style, as he received the MOBO Global Songwriter Award, presented by Nile Rodgers.
He took to the stage to huge cheers (easily the biggest A-lister in the room) before crediting MOBO founder Kanya King for the organisation’s impact on music culture. Rodgers returned the praise, reflecting on how Pharrell had previously inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 in a sweet exchange.
Hip-hop hero Slick Rick also accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award, performing a medley of ‘Children’s Story’ and other hits, before Estelle joined in for a fun, sing-along rendition of ‘American Boy’.
Breakout stars and big hitters: Jim Legxacy, Raye and Central Cee
Lewisham-born newcomer Jim Legxacy took Best Male Act, continuing a breakout run as one of XL Recordings’ most exciting recent signings, following the release of his 2025 album Black British Music. The record places Black British identity at its centre with its mix of rap and indie, making his growing presence at the MOBO Awards feel well appreciated to alternative audiences.
A strong run of British talent brings in the awards, with RAYE picking up Video of the Year for ‘Where Is My Husband!’, appearing on screen to accept, while Central Cee added Best Hip-Hop Act to his growing trophy collection. It’s another undisputed reminder of just how locked-in the UK scene has been over the last few years.
Jazz gets a look in too, as a vital part of Black music history. No genre at the MOBOs was forgotten. From a strong line-up including Kokoroko and Nubya Garcia, Ezra Collective took home Best Jazz Act. Bandleader Femi Koleoso kept it short and sweet with “long live jazz music forever”, letting the sentiment do the rest to applause.
Film and TV gets its moment: Stephen Graham
It wasn’t just music in the spotlight at the MOBO Awards, with Stephen Graham recognised for his work on screen, winning Best Performance in a TV Show / Film for Netflix’s Adolescence. It’s one of those performances that’s been hard to ignore this year (not that you’d want to), and Graham paid tribute to his father in a genuinely moving tribute, met with a wave of respect across the arena.
Shenseea closed the night with a standing ovation for ‘Shake It To The Max’, sending things out on a high. The room felt full of joy, with people from all backgrounds coming together in celebration of Black music. Three decades on, the MOBO Awards in Manchester felt like a true reflection of that culture, bringing together global stars and a new generation shaping what comes next.