Last night was a night to remember for Nigerian-British star Darkoo, and Ayra Starr. The stars took home awards at the 27th MOBO Awards, held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. The ceremony, which celebrates music of Black origin across genres like hip hop, R&B, Afrobeats, jazz, and grime, brought together some of the biggest names in the industry for a night of wins, emotional speeches, and more.
Darkoo walked away with Best Female Act, her first ever MOBO win, and also won Song of the Year for “Favourite Girl” featuring Dess Dior. In her speech, Darkoo thanked God, her parents, her team, and her fans for their support.
“I just want to say thank you to God. Big up my mum, my dad, for loving me, for accepting me. Big up my team, thank you for believing in me. Thank you to my fans, thank you so much.”
Watch her acceptance speech below:
Afrobeats star Ayra Starr made history as the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act. She did not stop there as she also won Best International Act. In her speech, she thanked everyone who had supported and believed in her.
Watch below:
The night was not just about awards as performances also lit up the stage. Darkoo and Odeal, who won Best Newcomer and Best R&B/Soul Act, were among the artists who performed at the event.
Listen to Odeal’s acceptance speech for his MOBO wins.
Watch Darkoo’s performance
Watch Odeal’s performance
See the full list of winners from the 2025 MOBO Awards:
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
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
Winner: Ayra Starr
Bnxn & Ruger
King Promise
Odumodublvck
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Tyla
Uncle Waffles
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
