Olivia Dean was the biggest winner at the 2026 Mobo awards, taking home three prizes including best female act, album of the year and song of the year for her number one single Man I Need. The ceremony, which celebrates black music, was held at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester for its 30th anniversary.
Other notable winners included Raye, whose song Where Is My Husband! won video of the year; Central Cee, who was named best hip-hop act; and Ezra Collective, who won in the jazz category. Dean, who also performed at the event, has had a remarkable year, having won best new act at the Grammys and four Brit awards earlier this month.
Special honours were given to Slick Rick, who received the Mobo lifetime achievement award, and Pharrell Williams, who was awarded the global songwriter award. Slick Rick's career spans over four decades, while Williams is known for hits such as Happy and Get Lucky.
Best male act went to Jim Legxacy, a 25-year-old rapper from Lewisham who blends grime and R&B. Stephen Graham won best performance in a TV show/film for his role in the drama Adolescence, and media personality of the year was awarded to Niko Omilana.
Accepting the award for best album, Dean dedicated it to black feminist author bell hooks and other black feminists who inspire her to love better.
