MOBO Awards 2023: Can Anyone Dethrone Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid? Find Out the Shortlist!

Nigerian music stars — Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid — and five other Nigerian artists have been nominated for the forthcoming MOBO Awards. An annual celebration recognising excellence in “music of black origin” in the UK

MOBO’s Thursday announcement revealed that Adekunle Gold, Asake, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, and Wizkid are all contenders in the Best African Music Act category.

Additionally, Nigerian gospel singer, Samuel Onwubiko, aka Limoblaze, secured a nomination in the Best Gospel Act category.

In the previous year [2022], nine Nigerian artistes received nominations for African Act of the Year, including Burna Boy, Adekunle Gold, Tems, Asake, Rema, Oxlade, Omah Lay, and Fireboy DML.

The 26th edition of the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Utilita Arena Sheffield on 7 February 2024.

Below is the full list of all the 2023 Nominees:

BEST MALE ACT
Central Cee
Dave
D-block Europe
J Hus
Nines
Stormzy

BEST FEMALE ACT
Flo
Jorja Smith
Little Simz
Mahalia
Pinkpantheress
Raye

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Ezra Collective – Where I’m Meant To Be
J Hus – Beautiful and Brutal Yard
Little Simz – No Thank You
Potter Payper – Real Back In Style
Raye – My 21st Century Blues
Stormzy – This Is What I Mean
SONG OF THE YEAR
Central Cee & Dave – ‘Sprinter’
J Hus Feat. Drake – ‘Who Told You’
Jorja Smith – ‘Little Things’
Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice – ‘Boys A Liar PT.2’
Raye & 070 Shake – ‘Escapism’
Stormzy – ‘Hide & Seek’

BEST NEWCOMER
Ama Lou
Antslive
Debbie
Jayo
Nippa
No Guidnce
Rimzee
Strandz
Tamera
Tunde

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
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)
Stormzy – ‘Mel Made Me Do It’ (Directed By Klvdr)
Tion Wayne – ‘Healing’ (Directed By Wowa)
BEST R&B/SOUL ACT
Bellah
Jaz Karis
Mahalia
Ragz Originale
Sampha
Sault

BEST HIP HOP ACT
Avelino
Clavish
Digga D
Enny
Fredo
Giggs
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Nines
Potter Payper
BEST GRIME ACT
Bugzy Malone
Duppy
Flowdan
Manga Saint Hilare
Novelist
P Money
BEST DRILL ACT
Central Cee
Headie One
K-trap
Kwengface
M24
Russ Millions
Teezandos
Unknown T

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT (US)
governmentDoja Cat
Drake & 21 Savage
Travis Scott
Ice Spice
Latto
Lil Uzi Vert
Nicki Minaj
Sexyy Red
Sza
Victoria Monet

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW/FILM
governmentAdjani Salmon As Kwabena – Dreaming Whilst Black
Damson Idris As Franklin Saint – Snowfall
Déja J. Bowens As Vita – Champion
Idris Elba As Sam – Hijack
India Amarteifio As Queen Charlotte – Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
John Boyega As Fontaine – They Cloned Tyrone
Lashana Lynch As Izogie – The Woman King
Letitia Wright As Shuri – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Malcolm Kamulete As Bosco – Champion
Vivian Oparah As Yas – Rye Lane
BEST MEDIA PERSONALITY
Alison Hammond
Amelia Dimoldenberg
Henrie Kwushue
Madame Joyce
Maya Jama
Pressed Podcast
Remi Burgz
Shxtsngigs
Specs Gonzalez
Zeze Millz
BEST AFRICAN MUSIC ACT
Adekunle Gold (NIGERIA)
Asake (NIGERIA)
Ayra Starr (NIGERIA)
Burna Boy (NIGERIA)
Davido (NIGERIA)
Libianca (CAMEROON)
Rema (NIGERIA)
Tyla (SOUTH AFRICA)
Uncle Waffles (ESWATINI)
Wizkid (NIGERIA)
BEST CARIBBEAN MUSIC ACT
Byron Messia
Destra
Kabaka Pyramid
Popcaan
Shenseea
Valiant
BEST JAZZ ACT
Blue Lab Beats (UK)
CKTRL (UK)
Ezra Collective (UK)
Masego (US)
Reuben James (UK)
Yazmin Lacey (UK)
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT
With Marshall
Alt Blk Era
Arlo Parks
Deijuvhs
Kid Bookie
Skindred
Young Fathers
BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ACT
Aluna
NIA Archives
Pinkpantheress
Salute
Shygirl
TSHA
BEST PRODUCER
Inflo
Kyle Evans
M1onthebeat
P2J
Steel Banglez
TSB
BEST GOSPEL ACT
Annatoria (UK)
Calledout Music (UK)
Guvna B (UK)
Limoblaze (NIGERIA)
Tofunmi Adorna (UK)
Triple O (UK).