MOBOs 2022: Little Simz, Central Cee and Nova Twins lead nominees

The likes of Central Cee, Nova Twins and Little Simz are among the leading nominees for this year’s MOBO Awards.

The ceremony, which celebrates music of Black origin, will host its 25th anniversary edition at the OVO Arena Wembley in London on Wednesday, November 30. Tickets are available here.

Some two years after the group found themselves calling for the introduction of an alternative category at the ceremony, Nova Twins are nominated for exactly that.

The group are up for that honour – the first time it has been introduced at the MOBOs – alongside the likes of Skunk Anansie, Loathe, Big Joanie and Bob Vylan.

In a statement, Nova Twins wrote: “What a moment this is, it’s a massive win for the alt community. To think back to two years ago, when we wrote our open letter to now, being here celebrating this new category alongside all the amazing artists who help push the genre forward, as well Kanya [King, MOBOs founder] and the MOBOs team.”

The duo continued: “Working alongside Kanya, we have been in awe of how fiercely she fought for what she believes in, while keeping the MOBOs thriving and evolving. We hope this new category helps give future artists more options, allowing them to be whatever musician they want to to be, be it in Hip Hop, Rock, Pop, Punk, R&B or anywhere in between, the choice is theirs.”

Another new category for 2022 is Best Electronic/Dance Act, which features the likes of FKA twigs, Jax Jones, Nia Archives.

Elsewhere at this awards, Central Cee has bagged four nods for Best Male Act, Song Of The Year (‘Doja’), Video Of The Year (‘Doja’) and Best Drill Act.

Little Simz, one of three current Rolling Stone UK cover stars, is also up for four awards in total: Best Female Act, Album Of The Year (‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’), Video Of The Year (‘Point And Kill’) and Best Hip Hop Act.

You can check out the nominations in full below.

The full list of nominees for the MOBO Awards 2022 is as folllows:

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 – ‘Shasing Euphoria’
Miraa May – ‘Tales Of A Miracle’

Song Of The Year In Association With Lucozade – [public Voted Category]
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 – [public Voted Category]
Amaria BB
Bru-C
Cat Burns
Clavish
Cristale
Flo
Jbee
Nemzzz
Nia Archives
Switchotr

Video Of The Year In Association With Mccrispy – [public Voted Category]
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 – [public Voted Category]
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 – [public Voted Category]
Central Cee
Digga D
Headie One
Ivorian Doll
K-trap
Kwengface
M24
Russ Millions
Unknown T
V9

Best International Act – [public Voted Category]
Beyoncé
Burna Boy
Chris Brown
Drake
Jack Harlow
Jazmine Sullivan
Kendrick Lamar
Skillibeng
Summer Walker
Tems

Best Performance In A Tv Show/film – [public Voted Category]
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 – [public Voted Category]
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 – [public Voted Category]
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

Best Producer Supported By Complex Uk
Inflo
JAE5
Labrinth
M1onthebeat
P2J
TSB

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.”