MOBO AWARDS: Ayra Starr becomes first woman to win ‘Best African Music Act’ in 16 years

Afrobeat musician Ayra Starr accomplished a monumental milestone at the 2025 MOBO Awards in Newcastle, United Kingdom.

She won two important awards: ‘Best International Act’ and ‘Best African Music Act’.

Ayra Starr’s win in the ‘Best International Act’ category is a historic moment, as she becomes the first African female musician to get this award.

Her victory in the ‘Best African Music Act’ category is also impressive, as she becomes the first female winner in 16 years.

The ‘Sabi girl’ unique sound blends Afrobeats, R&B, and pop.

The 2025 MOBO Awards also recognised other talented artists, including: Darkoo, winner of ‘Best Female Act’, Central Cee, winner of ‘Best Male Act’, 90s Baby Show, winner of ‘Best Media Personality’ and Odeal, winner of ‘Best Newcomer’

Below is the full list of MOBO Award winners:

Best male act
Bashy
WINNER: Central Cee
D-Block Europe
Ghetts
Nemzzz
Sampha

Best female act
Cleo Sol
WINNER: Darkoo
Jorja Smith
Little Simz
Nia Archives
Raye

Album of the year
WINNER: Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
Cleo Sol – Gold
Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose
Jorja Smith – Falling Or Flying
Sampha – Lahai
Skrapz – Reflection

Song of the year
Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – “Band4band” Chase & Status, Stormzy – “Backbone” WINNER: Darkoo Feat. Dess Dior – “Favourite Girl”
Jordan Adetunji – “Kehlani”
Leostaytrill – “Pink Lemonade”
Odeal – “Soh-soh”

Best newcomer
Chy Cartier
Elmiene
Fimiguerrero
Flowerovlove
Jordan Adetunji
Len
Leostaytrill
Myles Smith
WINNER: Odeal
Pozer

Video of the year
Meekz – “Mini Me’s” (Directed By Kc Locke)
WINNER: Mnelia – “My Man” (Directed By Femi Bello)
Raye – “Genesis” (Directed By Otis Dominique & Raye)
Sampha – “Only” (Directed By Dexter Navy).
Skepta – “Gas Me Up (Diligent)” (Directed By Steveo)
Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – “Hocus Pocus” (Directed By Felix Brady)

Best R&B/soul act
Cleo Sol
Elmiene
Flo
Jaz Karis
Jorja Smith
Nippa
WINNER: Odeal
Sasha Keable
Shae Universe
Sinead Harnett

Best alternative music act
WINNER: ALT BLK ERA
Bob Vylan
Hak Baker
Kid Bookie
Native James
Spider

Best grime act
Chip
D Double E
Duppy
Kruz Leone
Manga Saint Hilare
WINNER: Scorcher

Best hip hop act
WINNER: Bashy
Cristale
Headie One
Nines
Potter Payper
Skrapz
Best drill act
163Margs
Central Cee
Headie One
Kairo Keyz
K-trap
WINNER: Pozer

Best international act
Asake
WINNER: Ayra Starr
Beyoncé
GloRilla
Kendrick Lamar
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Tems
Tyla

Best performance in a TV show/film
Angela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In Eastenders
Caroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book II: Ghost
Diane Parish As Denise Fox In Eastenders
Dionne Brown As Queenie In Queenie
Ghetts As Krazy In Supacell
WINNER: Jacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The Vampire
Jasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top Boy
Josh Tedeku As Tazer In Supacell
Kingsley Ben-adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One Love
Tosin Cole As Michael In Supacell

Best media personality
WINNER: 90’s Baby Show
AJ Odudu
Chuckie Online
Craig Mitch
Henrie Kwushue
Madame Joyce
Micah Richards
Specs Gonzalez
The Receipts Podcast
Zeze Millz

Best African music act
Asake (Nigeria)
WINNER: 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
Popcaan
WINNER: Shenseea
Skillibeng
Spice
Valiant
Yg Marley
Best jazz act
Amy Gadiaga
Blue Lab Beats
Ego Ella May
WINNER: Ezra Collective
Kokoroko
Yussef Dayes

Best electronic/dance act
Eliza Rose
Nia Archives
Pinkpantheress
Salute
Shygirl
WINNER: Tsha

Best producer
Ceebeaats
Inflo
WINNER: Juls
M1onthebeat
P2j
Sammy Soso

Best gospel act
WINNER: Annatoria
Imrhan
Limoblaze
Reblah
Still Shadey
Volney Morgan & New Ye