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Central Cee is one of the UK’s biggest rappers, attracting 25 million monthly streams
He has yet to release his debut album, but Central Cee could become the first musician to win best male artist at the Mobo Awards three times.
The West London rapper is currently tied with Stormzy, who also has two wins, but picked up his third consecutive nomination when the 2025 shortlist was announced on Wednesday morning.
He’s up against stars including Bashy, Sampha and D-Block Europe for the award, which he last won in February. The musician is also nominated for best drill act and song of the year, for the Top 10 hit Band4Band.
Other triple nominees include R&B singers Jorja Smith and Cleo Sol. Winners will be announced next February.
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Jorja Smith is recognised for her second album Falling Or Flying
Established in 1996, the Mobos celebrate black music in the UK and beyond.
Among this year’s nominees is jungle artist Nia Archives, who’s up for best female and best electronic act, following the success of her debut album, Silence Is Loud.
“It just feels surreal,” she told the BBC, “but it’s nice to be recognised for what I’m doing.”
“I think it’s a really good time for black British musicians, producers and creatives. So it’s really cool for the Mobos to celebrate that.”
Pop star Raye, who has already enjoyed a record-breaking year, caps her achievements with a second consecutive nomination for best female.
She won the prize at the most recent ceremony, in Sheffield, but was unable to attend due to touring commitments in Australia.
Her competition includes street soul singer Jorja Smith and R&B vocalist Cleo Sol – best known for her work with the soul collective Sault.
Both are also up for album of the year, recognising their nuanced, mature takes on British soul: Cleo Sol for Gold and Jorja Smith for Falling Or Flying.
Actor Ashley Thomas is also recognised in the best album category, after breaking a 15-year hiatus to return to his rap alter-ego, Bashy.
His record, Being Poor Is Expensive, is an emotionally gripping account of his childhood, which also earns the musician nominations for best male and best hip-hop act.
The album of the year nominations are rounded out by Ghetts’ similarly autobiographical On Purpose, With Purpose; Sampha’s Lahai, a musing on fatherhood inspired by his young daughter; and West London rapper Skrapz’s densely-packed Reflections – his first ever top 10 release.
Producer, DJ and singer-songwriter Nia Archives received multiple nominations
Former winners Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar are among the nominees for best international act, but the category is more notable for its promotion of African artists.
Tyla, the South African star whose slinky seduction anthem Water became a global smash last year, is a front-runner for the prize, alongside Nigerian singers Tems and Ayra Starr – who became the first Afrobeats artist to play Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage earlier this summer.
They’re joined on the shortlist by Nigerian rapper and singer Asake, as well as US musicians Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion and Glorilla.
They’ll find out who has won in a star-studded ceremony at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on 18 February 2025.
Nia Archives said it was important that big events like the Mobos were held outside London, recalling how she had been inspired by watching Lethal Bizzle “from the nosebleed seats” when the ceremony came to her hometown, Leeds, in 2015.
“When you have those outreach moments to regional towns and cities like Leeds and Bradford, it’s really inspiring as a young person.
“It’s really cool that that the Mobos decided to do that and it was really impactful for me at that age.”
Full list of nominees for the 2025 Mobo Awards
Best male act
BashyCentral CeeD-Block EuropeGhettsNemzzzSamphaBest female act
Cleo SolDarkooJorja SmithLittle SimzNia ArchivesRayeAlbum of the year
Bashy – Being Poor Is ExpensiveCleo Sol – GoldGhetts – On Purpose, With PurposeJorja Smith – Falling Or FlyingSampha – LahaiSkrapz – ReflectionSong of the year
Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – Band4bandChase & Status, Stormzy – BackboneDarkoo Feat. Dess Dior – Favourite GirlJordan Adetunji – KehlaniLeostaytrill – Pink LemonadeOdeal – Soh-SohBest newcomer
Chy CartierElmieneFimiguerreroFlowerovloveJordan AdetunjiLenLeostaytrillMyles SmithOdealPozerVideo of the year
Meekz – Mini Me’sMnelia – My ManRaye – GenesisSampha – OnlySkepta – Gas Me Up (Diligent)Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – Hocus Pocus
Ayra Starr was the first Afrobeats star to perform on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage
Best R&B/soul act
Cleo SolElmieneFloJaz KarisJorja SmithNippaOdealSasha KeableShae UniverseSinead HarnettBest grime act
ChipD Double EDuppyKruz LeoneManga Saint HilareScorcherBest hip hop act
BashyCristaleHeadie OneNinesPotter PayperSkrapzBest drill act
163MargsCentral CeeHeadie OneKairo KeyzK-TrapPozerBest international act
AsakeAyra StarrBeyonceGlorillaKendrick LamarLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajTemsTylaChiabella James / Paramount
British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir receives a nomination for his portrayal of Bob Marley in the biopic Bob Marley: One Love
Best performance in a TV show/film
Angela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In EastendersCaroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book Ii: GhostDiane Parish As Denise Fox In EastendersDionne Brown As Queenie In QueenieGhetts As Krazy In SupacellJacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The VampireJasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top BoyJosh Tedeku As Tazer In SupacellKingsley Ben-Adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One LoveTosin Cole As Michael In SupacellBest media personality
90’s Baby ShowAJ OduduChuckie OnlineCraig MitchHenrie KwushueMadame JoyceMicah RichardsSpecs GonzalezThe Receipts PodcastZeze MillzBest African music act
Asake (Nigeria)Ayra Starr (Nigeria)Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria)King Promise (Ghana)Odumodublvck (Nigeria)Rema (Nigeria)Shallipopi (Nigeria)Tems (Nigeria)Tyla (South Africa)Uncle Waffles (South Africa)Best Caribbean music act
PopcaanShenseeaSkillibengSpiceValiantYg MarleyBest jazz act
Amy GadiagaBlue Lab BeatsEgo Ella MayEzra CollectiveKokorokoYussef DayesBest alternative music act
Alt Blk EraBob VylanHak BakerKid BookieNative JamesSpiderBest electronic/dance act
Eliza RoseNia ArchivesPinkpantheressSaluteShygirlTshaBest producer
CeebeaatsInfloJulsM1OnTheBeatP2JSammy SosoBest gospel act
AnnatoriaImrhanLimoblazeReblahStill ShadeyVolney Morgan & New Ye
