The 27th edition of the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) was held last night at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England, and it was a highlight of record-breaking wins for artistes of Nigerian descent.
The prestigious ceremony, equally prominent as BET, honors homegrown and international artists from diverse genres, including hip-hop, R&B, grime, jazz, and Afrobeats. The 2025 MOBO Awards, founded by Kanya King and Andy Ruffell, cemented Afrobeats as a global sound, dominating other genres in the major categories.
On the night of February 18th, 2024, Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr broke a 16-years record to win the Best African Music Act award, beating Nigerian acts Asake, Bnxn & Ruger, King Promise, Odumodublvck, Rema, Shallipopi, Tems, and South-African acts Tyla and Uncle Waffles. Ayra Starr’s first win at the 2025 MOBO Awards is yet another testament to her hard work and remarkable talent, where she emerged as the first female act to win in the category in the last 16 years.
Dressed in a stunning peach sequin gown and monochrome fur drape to receive her award, she emotionally gave a warm acceptance speech on the stage.
“Okay, this is my first MOBO. And this is the first time I’m winning a MOBO Award—make some noise! I am actually shaking right now. I am actually nervous. Thank you so much to everybody who supported me.
Thank you to my team—my amazing MOB-STARS. My amazing brothers who make music with me—the producers in the studio—my studio partners in crime; my label—MAVINS record, Embryo, my mummy…
Thank you so much. Thank you, MOBOs.”
Yet, the 22-year-old set another record-straight win at the award ceremony where she won the Best International Act, marking the first female artiste to win the noteworthy prize while displacing heavyweight acts like Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, as well as Tems and Tyla. These milestones restate the prominence of Nigerian music on the international scene, as Ayra Starr joins Wizkid (2017, 2021) and Burna Boy (2020, 2022) as the only Nigerian artistes to have won the MOBO Award for Best International Act.
Other notable wins at the 2025 MOBO Awards include the award for Best Female Act given to the British-Nigerian act Darkoo. This victorious win earned her debut MOBO Award, beating the likes of Raye, Little Sim,z, and Jorja Smith.
A double win for Darkoo surfaced when she bagged the Song of the Year award for her “Favourite Girl” collaboration with Fess Dior. This award displaced songs like “Band4band” by Central Cee ft Lil Baby, Jordan Adetubji’s “Kehlani” and Odeal’s “Soh-soh.” The 23-year-old also performed at the ceremony alongside Spice, Krept & Konan, Odeal, Nova Twins, Bashy and more.
London-based Nigerian artiste Odeal wasn’t left out of the noteworthy accomplishments.
He won a double at the MOBO Awards, bagging the Best Newcomer and Best R&B/Soul Act awards, emerging as the winner above Jorja Smith, Cleo Sou, Flo, and others. Ghanaian producer Jhuls also made a remarkable win, receiving the Producer of the Year award.
These tremendous accomplishments at the 2025 MOBO Awards are remarkable recognition of the prominence and long-coming efforts of Afrobeats and African music on the global scene. Congratulations to Ayra Starr, Darkoo, Odeal, and Jhuls on their noteworthy milestones!
