Wednesday 28 January 2026: Global hip-hop icon Eve and acclaimed comedian and broadcaster Eddie Kadi will host the 2026 MOBO Awards at Co-op Live in Manchester on 26 March.
Alongside the host announcement, MOBO is excited to reveal the first wave of performers for the 2026 Awards, with a stellar roster of women making waves across their respective genres. Olivia Dean, FLO and Tiwa Savage are the first artists confirmed to take the stage at this landmark celebration, with more performers and special honourees to be announced soon. Tickets are available now via mobo.com/tickets.
Europe’s biggest and most influential celebration of Black music and culture promises an unforgettable night of electrifying performances, powerful tributes and culture-shaping moments as MOBO marks its 30th anniversary.
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of the MOBO Group, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have the iconic Eve and the incomparable Eddie Kadi hosting the MOBO Awards in Manchester. As we mark 30 years of MOBO, this moment feels especially powerful. Eve and Eddie each represent excellence, authenticity and cultural impact in their own right – and together, they embody the spirit, humour and global perspective that has always defined the MOBO Awards.”
“We’re equally thrilled to announce our first wave of performers, with Olivia Dean, FLO and Tiwa Savage taking centre stage. These are artists shaping the sound of now – bold, brilliant and rooted in creative truth – and we can’t wait to see them light up the MOBO stage in Manchester.”
Global hip-hop icon Eve is a trailblazing, award-winning artist with a glittering career that spans music, television and film. She is best known for her multi-million-selling records ‘Who’s That Girl’, ‘Gangsta Lovin’’, and ‘Let Me Blow Your Mind’ featuring Gwen Stefani, which won the inaugural GRAMMY Award for Best Rap/Sung collaboration. Over the course of her career, Eve has released four multi-million-selling albums and 32 singles, and collaborated with some of the world’s most iconic artists including Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys, Ludacris, Jill Scott, Missy Elliott, Prince and Michael Jackson. She served as the host of The Talk, CBS’ Daytime EMMY Award-winning talk show for four years. After over a decade of living in the UK, Eve launched her podcast Constantly Evolving with Eve on BBC Sounds in 2021 and released her autobiography, Who’s That Girl?: A Memoir in 2024. Most recently, in 2025, she completed a sold-out co-headlining tour alongside Nelly and Ja Rule, performing in 14 European arenas and 21 US amphitheatres.
Eve said: “I’m so excited to be co-hosting the MOBO Awards in this big 30th anniversary year. Even though our journeys started around the same time across the Atlantic from each other, we have our shared love for music and the culture, and in making sure we continue to have spaces that celebrate talent and share our stories. Manchester, I hope you’re ready because we have an amazing night planned for you.”
Eddie Kadi returns for the second consecutive year as our esteemed MOBO Awards host. A true master of entertainment and one of the UK’s most prominent comedians, Eddie is a multi-hyphenate comedian known for his unique brand of humour that references his heritage and cultural observations. He is a passionate advocate for African music, hosting BBC Radio 1Xtra’s The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show and became the first Black British comedian to headline London’s O2. He took on his first MOBO role in 2021 in Coventry as a roaming host before co-hosting last year’s ceremony with Indiyah Polack. Eddie’s extensive list of TV credits include joining the cast of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Live At The Apollo (BBC), resident Team Captain on Sorry I Didn’t Know (ITV) as well as The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV), The Apprentice (BBC), The Comedy Awards (Channel 4) and his own successful podcast Man Like You alongside Babatunde Aléshé and Mo Gilligan.
Eddie Kadi said: “To be back for the second year in a row co-hosting the MOBO Awards is an honour, especially for its 30th anniversary. For three decades, MOBO has celebrated Black music excellence from all different genres. Expect the unexpected with performances and surprise appearances. It’s a big year and I’m so proud to be part of this legendary show.”
Olivia Dean, Little Simz and rising stars kwn and Jim Legxacy are up for the most awards this year, earning four nominations each; while FLO, Central Cee, Skepta, and PinkPantheress are up for three awards each. Netflix’s acclaimed series Adolescence receives two nominations for Best Performance in a TV Show / Film, recognising Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham, alongside Cynthia Erivo for Wicked and Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners. Full list of 2026 nominees HERE. Voting is now open for select categories HERE.
MOBO is proud to be working with its previously announced partners and sponsors Amazon Music, Prostate Cancer UK, got2b and Vevo. Amazon Music is the sponsor of Album of the Year. Prostate Cancer UK continues its vital role as the Official Men’s Health Charity Partner and sponsor of the Best Male Act category, raising essential awareness of the higher risk of prostate cancer among Black men and campaigning to address health inequalities across the UK. Meanwhile, got2b returns as the Official Hairstyling Partner and sponsor of the Best Female Act category, championing individuality, self-expression and creativity on one of the biggest nights in music and culture. Vevo is also a partner this year, sponsoring Video of the Year and supporting the category’s focus on visual excellence.
Women take centre stage in the first wave of performers announced for the 2026 MOBO Awards
It’s no exaggeration to say that 2025 has proven to be the year of Olivia Dean. The captivating British singer-songwriter rose to become one of the UK’s hottest new global music stars with people of all ages around the world discovering her magic and falling in love with her music. She has earned four prestigious MOBO Awards nominations for Album of The Year in association with Amazon Music for The Art of Loving, Best Female Act in association with got2b, Best R&B/Soul Act, and Song of The Year for ‘Man I Need’. With The Art of Loving and ‘Man I Need’, Olivia became the first solo British female to simultaneously claim the No.1 album and No. 1 single spots on the UK Official Charts, since Adele in 2021. She sold out six headline dates at London’s O2 signalling a big touring year ahead which will span the UK, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Her chart-topping success and global momentum make her performance one of the most anticipated moments of the night.
British R&B trio FLO continue to go from strength to strength as one of the formidable forces raising the bar on girl group excellence today. MOBO has been part of the group’s journey since the beginning, being the first music awards ceremony to put them on stage in 2022. We are proud to welcome Renée, Stella and Jorja back to the MOBO Awards stage this year in Manchester, marking their triumphant return following a monumental year which saw them release their debut album Access All Areas and complete the biggest US headline tour by a British girl group in nearly two decades. Access All Areas became the highest charting album by a British R&B girl group in 23 years when it debuted at No. 3 on the UK Official Album Chart, earning critical acclaim from Pitchfork, NME, DAZED and The New York Times. FLO are up for three MOBO Awards this year – Album of The Year in association with Amazon Music for Access All Areas, Best Female Act in association with got2b, and Best R&B/Soul Act.
Queen of Afrobeats Tiwa Savage has been breaking barriers in the male-dominated genre for over a decade, paving the way for a new generation of artists that followed. As one of the most influential and decorated global African music stars, Nigerian-born Tiwa was one of the first Afrobeats artists to bridge the gap between the West African music scene and Western mainstream audiences. She has amassed over 2.5 billion combined global streams and collaborated with the likes of Brandy, Wizkid, Skepta, Sam Smith and Craig David. Tiwa’s latest album, This One Is Personal, earned critical acclaim for its storytelling and rich R&B foundations. She is nominated for Best African Music Act, adding another milestone to her celebrated career.
The MOBO Awards around the UK
Since 2009, the MOBO Awards has proudly paved the way by taking its celebrations to cities across the UK, shining a spotlight on Black music and culture while championing local talent and communities. From London to Liverpool, Leeds to Glasgow, Coventry to Sheffield and Newcastle, MOBO has transformed cities, stages and arenas into cultural hotspots. Now, as the MOBO Organisation steps into its 30th anniversary year, it’s bringing the MOBO magic to Manchester, a city globally renowned for its musical movements, creative spirit and cultural influence.
Ahead of the ceremony, MOBO is also collaborating with Manchester City Council to deliver the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long celebration of music, culture, and creativity in the lead-up to the Awards. The free programme will feature industry panels, talent showcases, live performances and creative workshops spanning music, tech, and the arts, creating opportunities for the next generation while spotlighting Manchester’s vibrant local scene. The MOBO Fringe Festival is a vital part of the MOBO Organisations ongoing commitment to celebrating music, arts, and culture while championing local creatives. Building on the success of MOBO Fringe 2025 in Newcastle, which drew thousands of attendees and delivered an estimated £1 million+ in combined economic and social impact for the city and wider North East region, the Manchester programme promises an exciting, citywide celebration designed to energise the city, empower communities and inspire audiences nationwide.