The annual MOBO Awards returned for the 26th year on Wednesday night, with some of the biggest names in music being recognised.
This year's ceremony was held at Sheffield's Utilita Arena for the first time, as stars all graced the red carpet ahead of the event beginning at 8pm, with the Sugababes meeting Olympian Jessica Ennis Hill as they posed for snaps outside this evening and Love Island star and MOBO Awards host Indiyah Polack wowing in an incredible array of looks throughout the night.
Those looking forward to Stormzy and Maya Jama making their first red carpet appearance together since rekindling their romance last year are sadly out of luck, with the Love Island presenter and the rapper nowhere to be seen in Sheffield this evening - despite both being nominated for awards.
Maya was sadly busy over in South Africa with her Love Island hosting duties, while Stormzy was Down Under thanks to tour commitments in Australia. However, the Vossi Bop rap made a surprise cameo on the screens inside the Sheffield arena, as he accepted his award for Best Music Video of the Year via a video message. The full list of MOBO Award 2024 winners have now been revealed, with some big names taking some even bigger prizes home with them.
Love Island star Indiyah Polack and comedian Babatunde Aleshe teamed up to host the 2024 MOBO Awards (MOBO Awards)The final award of the evening went to Central Cee & Dave, who picked up Song of the Year for their collaboration Sprinter. Awards presented off-camera included the Best Drill Act honour, which went to K-Trap, and Best Male Act, which went to Best Song winner Central Cee.
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Stormzy has appeared on the screens in Sheffield, as it is revealed he has won one of the four awards he was up to. The rapper, who is Down Under on tour in Australia at the moment, beat Antslive - 'Number One Candidate' (Directed By Tom Emmerson), Enny - 'No More Naija Men' (Directed By Otis Dominique), Jords - 'Dirt In The Diamond Ep1: Mobay Feat. Tay Iwar / Stay Close Feat. Kranium' (Directed By, Renee Maria Osubu), Little Simz - 'Gorilla' (Directed By Dave Meyers) and Tion Wayne - ‘Healing' (Directed By Wowa) to bag Best Video.
'Mel Made Me Do It' (Directed By Klvdr) was a game-changer when released, with Stormzy paying homage to the “village of people” involved in making the award-winning music video. “Sorry for not being there in person, I’m there in spirit,” the star told the MOBO crowd in his video message. “I will be there next year.”
Let's round up some of the winners so far. Tunde - who is currently in America touring - has won the Best Newcomer award, and Shygril has taken home the trophy for Best Electronic/Dance Act.
RAYE sent a video message as she beat Flo, Jorja Smith, Little Simz, Mahalia, PinkPantheress to be named Best Female Act, admitting she was so “annoyed and sad” she couldn’t be there to collect the award in person. The singer is currently in Australia on tour.
Bugzy Malone has won the Best Grime Act award and delivered quite the acceptance speech on stage. The Manchester-born rapper and actor paid tribute to his northern roots - telling the crowd when he started in the industry, not many from the north were making money and winning big honours in the business.
“But look at us now,” Bugzy declared, as he went on to spray champagne! The celebration left an impact, with the hosts for the next award noting the stage was still damp as they arrived to announce Sault as the winners of the Best R&B/Soul Act. Little Simz collected the award on behalf of Sault, in order to keep their identity private.
The Sugababes have been presented with their special honour, the MOBO Impact Award. As they collected their award from fellow girlband FLO, Keisha, Siobhan and Muyta said they were so grateful to be standing on stage twenty years on from first forming a band. “The MOBOs have always stood by The Sugababes,” Siobhan told the crowd, with Mutya adding their thanks for their fans.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s MOBO Awards, the reunited trio said: “MOBOAwards, thank you for presenting us with 2024’s Impact Award! To be able to look back on our two decades plus journey and be told that our music has touched so many people - even inspiring other artists - is something to be proud of. We are really looking forward to celebrating with everyone and performing at this year’s show.”
The Best Media Personality nominees consisted of Alison Hammond, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Henrie Kwushue, Madame Joyce, Maya Jama, Pressed Podcast, Remi Burgz, Shxtsngigs, Specs Gonzalez, Zeze Millz, with Shxtsngigs the one to be handed the award on stage just now.
Other winners so far include Asake winning Best African Music Act and Skindred taking home the trophy for Best Alternative Music Act.
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The Sugababes have taken to the stage to perform some of their biggest hits, much to the delight of viewers watching the MOBO Awards at home.
“Sugababes getting some well deserved recognition just feels good,” one fan wrote on Twitter (X) as Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy belted out a melody of hits in Yorkshire. “Sugababes are the real OGs #Mobos,” another added, as a third declared: “#MOBOAwards Sugababes been fly for 20 years”
The first award of the evening has been announced, with Potter Payper’s ‘Real Back In Style’ beating off some stiff competition to be named Album of the Year.
Ezra Collective – ‘Where I'm Meant To Be’, J Hus – ‘Beautiful And Brutal Yard’, Little Simz – ‘No Thank You’,,RAYE – ‘My 21st Century Blues’ and Stormzy – ‘This Is What I Mean’ were all nominated for the honour.
As he collected the gong, the MOBO winner said happy birthday to his son - sweetly explaining to the audience how his child was actually born in Sheffield two years today.
The 2024 MOBO Awards is officially underway, with former Love Island star Indiyah Polack and stand-up comedian Babatunde Aléshé taking to stage to welcome the star-studded crowd in Sheffield. Remember, you can watch live now on YouTube.
Maya Jama and Stormzy have not attended this year's MOBO Awards, despite their nominations.
After reuniting, fans had hoped to see them walk the red carpet together at tonight's MOBO Awards at Sheffield's Utilita Arena – but previous work commitments meant this couldn't happen.
Maya, 29, is currently working in South Africa, hosting ITV's Love Island All Stars, meaning she would be unable to make the long-haul flight and return for filming in time.
The Bristol-born presenter is nominated for Best Media Personality, supported by Bet UK. In the category, she's up against the likes of Alison Hammond, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Henrie Kwushue, Madame Joyce, Pressed Podcast, Remi Burgz, Shxtsngigs, Specs Gonzalez and Zeze Millz.
Meanwhile, Stormzy who is known for hits including Vossi Bop and Wiley Flow is up for Best Male Act, Album of the Year for This Is What I Mean, Song of the Year supported by BBC Radio 1Xtra for Hide & Seek and Video of the Year for Mel Made Me Do It.
(Getty Images For MOBO)Indiyah Polack was a goddess as she arrived on the red carpet to take over the show. The host stunned in a form-fitting bedazzled mesh dress with a short train. She completed the shining look with a matching headpiece.
The Love Island star posed on the red carpet while her boyfriend Dami Hope proudly stood by her. He looked suave in white trousers and a white blazer.
(James Shaw/REX/Shutterstock)The Sugababes had all eyes on them as they posed together on the red carpet. The group have been awarded the Impact Award and is providing the audience with a very special performance tonight.
Sharing a snap of their look on the carpet, their official account wrote: "Ready to receive our IMPACT AWARD @moboawards . Great way to start 2024!"
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill has arrived on the red carpet and exclusively told the Mirror how she feels ahead of accepting her big award tonight. Sheffield-born Olympic champion heptathlete Jessica will receive a special accolade as the MOBO Awards takes place in her hometown, with the sports legend telling us “it feels incredible and so special” to be honoured with the Paving The Way Award.
“To be awarded with such an amazing award, I’m very proud,” she admitted when chatting on the red carpet. “I feel so fortunate and lucky that I’ve been able to have a career with something that started off as a hobby for so many years, and then that extends to inspiring others and young girls to get into sport which is such an honour.” Jessica added: “I never feel the pressure, it’s just an absolute privilege to be honest.”
Tonight’s ceremony at the the Utilita Arena Sheffield will be available to watch on BBC One on Friday, 9 February at 11:30pm on BBC One. The hour-long programme will showcase the best highlights from the 26th Annual MOBO Awards.
However, if you want to watch the entire night live and in full, you can head over to MOBO's official YouTube channel from 8pm this evening. One of the hosts, Love Island star Indiyah Polack, recently reminded fans: "Set your reminders and join us on Wednesday, 7 ebruary at 8pm on YouTube."
Babatúndé Aléshé and Zeze Millz hopped on the MOBO Awards' official Instagram page to answer a few fan questions. One person asked whether they were nervous about hosting the event.
"I'm not nervous but I get excited nerves, if that makes sense," Zeze revealed. Babatúndé then explained how he does a few vocal exercises to prepare himself before going on stage while YouTube star Zeze makes sure to use the toilet before the show starts.
Meanwhile, Indiyah was asked what she's most excited about, to which she said: "I'm most excited about being in the presence of the MOBO Awards."
The ceremony kicks off at 8pm tonight, with Love Island's Indiyah Polock, Babatúndé Aléshé and Zeze Mills hosting the event. Indiyah recently told fans: "Set your reminders and join us on Wednesday, 7 February at 8pm on YouTube."
For those lucky enough to be going to the ceremony, the car park and box office opens at 4pm , the doors open at 6.30pm and there’s a curfew of 10.30pm. Click
Love Island star Indiyah Polack is hosting tonight's event in Sheffield and has shared an insight into how she is getting ready for the glitzy bash.
As she got pampered, Indiyah took to Instagram to take over the official MOBO Awards account where she answered questions from fans. She tucked into some beans on toast and she sat in her makeup chair. Indiyah then shared a clip of her hair being done, as a hairdresser blowdried her long locks and wrote: "The melt is divine!!!" She will be presenting at the ceremony alongside Babatúndé Aléshé and Zeze Mills.
Indiyah Polack showed off her intense beauty regime (Instagram/ @indiyahhp)School kids from across Sheffield joined forces to re-record his hit song, Blinded By Your Grace. This year. Stormzy leads the nominations for the awards which celebrate Black culture and music. The song, which has been pout together from 145 individual performances includes clips from eight young musicians who have re-written the rap section of the track.
But they have re-worded it to focus on Sheffield. MOBO Awards founder and CEO Kanya King said: “Witnessing the extraordinary celebration in Sheffield, including the build-up to the first of its kind Mobo Awards Sheffield – The Fringe, for our 26th edition is truly heartening. The collaborative effort between Sheffield City Council and Mobo has been game-changing.
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Each year huge numbers of artists across the world find themselves up for nomination. Celebrating music of Black origin, stars including Tina Turner, Amy Winehouse and Beyoncé have all been honoured.
But who's up for an award this year? Stormzy, Little Simz and Raye lead the list of those hoping to walk away with a hong. Click here for .
This year, the MOBO Awards are being held at Sheffield's Utilita Arena with huge names descending on the venue. While the ceremony might be airing on TV on Friday, February 8, the show is actually taking place tonight – February 7.
But who's going? Names such as the Sugababes, Loose Women's Charlene White, Jamelia, Bugzy Malone, Eddie Kadi and Sheffield's own Dame Jessica Ennis Hill are set to be walking the red carpet.
The Sugababes are also performing for the audience but will also receive the MOBO Impact Award while Jessica will be handed the MOBO Paving The Way Award. Click here
