MOBOs 2020: Full nominees and how and when to watch

Tap above to watch Charlene White's interview with MOBO nominee Lianne La Havas


After a two year break, the MOBOs are back with a string of Londoners leading the nominations.

Nines leads the way with a total of five, crowning a year in which he scored his first number one album. The 30-year-old rapper, from Harlesden, north-west London, is named in a number of major categories at the annual event celebrating music of black origin. They include best male act, best hip hop act and album of the year for August’s chart-topping Crabs In A Bucket.

But, he faces competition from Stormzy, Mahalia, Tiana Major9, and Lianne La Havas who have three nominations each.

In the best female category, Lianne La Havas, Mahalia and Tiana Major9 are joined by Ms Banks, Darkoo and FKA Twigs.


  • When are the MOBOs taking place being held?

The virtual ceremony will be held from 7pm on December 9

  • How can I watch the virtual ceremony?

The show will be live streamed on YouTube from 7pm on December 9 and re-broadcast on BBC One at 10.45pm.

  • Who is hosting the MOBOs 2020?

The event will see the return of Maya Jama as host, after she became the youngest person to host the awards in 2017. She will be joined by YouTube creator, music artist and comedian Chunkz.

  • Who is nominated this year?

BEST MALE ACT: HEADIE ONE, J HUS, STORMZY, NINES, AJ TRACEY, YOUNG T & BUGSEY

BEST FEMALE ACT: LIANNE LA HAVAS, MS BANKS, TIANA MAJOR9, MAHALIA, DARKOO, FKA TWIGS

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: J HUS – ‘BIG CONSPIRACY’, STORMZY – ‘HEAVY IS THE HEAD’, MAHALIA – ‘LOVE AND COMPROMISE’, NINES – ‘CRABS IN A BUCKET’, LIANNE LA HAVAS – ‘LIANNE LA HAVAS’

SONG OF THE YEAR: YOUNG T & BUGSEY FEAT. HEADIE ONE – ‘DON’T RUSH’, DIGGA D – ‘WOI’, DARKOO FEAT. ONE ACEN - ‘GANGSTA’, TION WAYNE FEAT. STORMZY & DUTCHAVELLI – ‘I DUNNO’, ABRA CADABRA – ‘ON DECK’

BEST NEWCOMER: AITCH, ALICAÌ HARLEY, DARKOO, DUTCHAVELLI, IVORIAN DOLL, M1LLIONZ, MIRAA MAY, PA SALIEU, SHAYBO, TIANA MAJOR9, M HUNCHO, LOSKI

VIDEO OF THE YEAR: BREE RUNWAY – ‘APESHIT’ (DIRECTED BY WILL HOOPER), NINES – ‘CLOUT’ (DIRECTED BY CHARLIE DI PLACIDO), NSG – ‘LUPITA’ (DIRECTED BY KEVIN HUDSON), JORJA SMITH – ‘BY ANY MEANS’ (DIRECTED BY OTIS DOMINIQUE), KNUCKS – ‘HOME’ (DIRECTED BY RAY FIASCO), KOJEY RADICAL – ‘20/20’ (DIRECTED BY CHARLIE DI PLACIDO)

BEST R&B/SOUL ACT: WSTRN, TIANA MAJOR9, MICHAEL KIWANUKA, MAHALIA, LIANNE LA HAVAS

BEST HIP HOP ACT: J HUS, NINES, MS BANKS, D-BLOCK EUROPE, KREPT & KONAN, POTTER PAYPER

BEST GRIME ACT: GHETTS, P MONEY, MANGA SAINT HILARE, CAPO LEE, JME

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: BURNA BOY, DRAKE, KOFFEE, MEGAN THEE STALLION, POP SMOKE, POPCAAN, RODDY RICCH, REMA, SHENSEEA, SUMMER WALKER, H.E.R, LIL BABY

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW/FILM: KANE ROBINSON AS SULLY – ‘TOP BOY’, MICHAELA COEL AS ARABELLA – ‘I MAY DESTROY YOU’, NCUTI GATWA AS ERIC EFFIONG – ‘SEX EDUCATION’, JESSICA PLUMMER AS CHANTELLE – ‘EASTENDERS’, MICHEAL WARD AS MARCO – ‘BLUE STORY’, DAMSON IDRIS AS FRANKLIN SAINT – ‘SNOWFALL’

BEST MEDIA PERSONALITY: MUNYA CHAWAWA, CHUNKZ, YUNG FILLY, MO GILLIGAN, CLARA AMFO, MAYA JAMA, HENRIE KWUSHUE, KSI, HARRY PINERO, ZEZE MILLZ

BEST ALBUM: DAVE – ‘PSYCHODRAMA’, KANO – ‘HOODIES ALL SUMMER’, ELLA MAI – ‘ELLA MAI’, SKEPTA – ‘IGNORANCE IS BLISS’, NINES – ‘CROP CIRCLE’, LITTLE SIMZ – ‘GREY AREA’

BEST AFRICAN ACT: BURNA BOY, TIWA SAVAGE, DAVIDO, FIREBOY DML, REMA, MASTER KG, ADEKUNLE GOLD, NSG, AFRO B, WIZKID, STONEBWOY, SHATTA WALE

BEST REGGAE ACT: POPCAAN, KOFFEE, LILA IKÉ, BUJU BANTON, PROTOJE

BEST GOSPEL ACT: CALLEDOUT MUSIC, NOEL ROBINSON, GUVNA B, THE KINGDOM CHOIR, SHEKINAH

BEST JAZZ ACT: MOSES BOYD, JOE ARMON-JONES, TOM MISCH & YUSSEF DAYES, YAZMIN LACEY, EGO ELLA MAY

BEST PRODUCER: JAE 5, 808 MELO, SIR SPYRO, TSB, STEEL BANGLEZ, M1ONTHEBEAT