The 2026 MOBO Awards has announced more performers taking to the stage at the ceremony in Manchester’s Co-op Live on 26 March.
Fittingly for a show to mark MOBO’s milestone 30th anniversary, there will be a special performance for ‘MOBO Salutes: Grime 25’, featuring Wiley, Chip, Nolay, Scorcher, D Double E and curated by DJ Target. They join already announced performers Olivia Dean, FLO and Tiwa Savage, bringing together homegrown and global stars across generations.
The 2026 MOBO Awards is hosted by global hip-hop icon Eve and comedian and broadcaster Eddie Kadi. More performers, special honourees, broadcast details and the MOBO Fringe programme will be announced soon for Europe’s biggest and most influential celebration of Black music and culture.
Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of the MOBO Group, said: “Celebrating Grime on the MOBO stage feels incredibly meaningful. It’s one of the most important cultural movements this country has produced, and its rise reflects MOBO’s own journey – championing homegrown sounds, elevating new voices and helping take underground culture into the mainstream. MOBO has always stood for community as much as celebration, which is why partnerships like our work with Prostate Cancer UK are so important. Using this platform to raise awareness and drive change is a responsibility we take seriously.”
For a landmark moment in UK music history, MOBO is bringing together a special medley performance curated by original Roll Deep Crew member DJ Target to celebrate Grime as the genre approaches its 25th anniversary. The medley will feature Grime OGs Wiley, Chip, Nolay, Scorcher and D Double E.
Topping the bill, ‘Godfather of Grime’ Wiley (pictured), is a British MC, songwriter and record producer who has pioneered the world of underground music through numerous hits and collaborations. He shot to fame from the material released with his crew Roll Deep, which included DJ Target, Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy Stryder, Skepta and JME. Wiley has achieved 11 UK Top 40 singles, and six Top 10’s including the No.1 hit ‘Heatwave’. He was the first ever recipient of the MOBO Paving The Way Award back in 2015 and he is nominated this year for Best Grime Act supported by TRENCH.
MOBO is also delighted to welcome a new sponsor for the 2026 MOBO Awards. Huda Beauty comes on board as the Official Makeup Partner and sponsor of the Best R&B/Soul Act category, celebrating creativity, confidence and self-expression across culture and media. This year’s Best R&B/Soul Act category will also be presented in association with Huda Beauty. They join previously announced partners and sponsors Amazon Music, Prostate Cancer UK, got2b and Vevo.
Amazon Music is the sponsor of Album of the Year. Prostate Cancer UK continues its vital role as the Official Men’s Health Charity Partner and sponsor of the Best Male Act category, raising essential awareness of the higher risk of prostate cancer among Black men and campaigning to address health inequalities across the UK. Meanwhile, got2b returns as the Official Hairstyling Partner and sponsor of the Best Female Act category, championing individuality, self-expression and creativity on one of the biggest nights in music and culture. Vevo also joins as a partner this year, sponsoring Video of the Year and supporting the category’s focus on visual excellence.
Ahead of the ceremony, MOBO is also collaborating with Manchester City Council to deliver the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long celebration of music, culture, and creativity in the lead-up to the Awards. The free programme will feature industry panels, talent showcases, live performances and creative workshops spanning music, tech, and the arts, creating opportunities for the next generation while spotlighting Manchester’s vibrant local scene.
As part of MOBO Fringe, MOBO recently announced the MOBO Fringe: Manchester Talent Programme supported by PPL, a new initiative designed to champion 10 emerging artists from Greater Manchester. The programme will deliver education workshops, industry insight and live performance opportunities during MOBO Fringe week, creating a platform for local talent to shine. Applications are now open and close on 27 February at 6pm GMT, with artists invited to apply at mobo.com/fringe.
The MOBO Fringe Festival is a vital part of the MOBO Organisations ongoing commitment to celebrating music, arts, and culture while championing local creatives. Building on the success of MOBO Fringe 2025 in Newcastle, which drew thousands of attendees and delivered an estimated £1 million+ in combined economic and social impact for the city and wider North East region, the Manchester programme promises an exciting, citywide celebration designed to energise the city, empower communities and inspire audiences nationwide.
Since 2009, the MOBO Awards has taken its celebrations to cities across the UK, shining a spotlight on Black music and culture while championing local talent and communities. From London to Liverpool, Leeds to Glasgow, Coventry to Sheffield and Newcastle, MOBO has transformed cities, stages and arenas into cultural hotspots.
Wiley image: Clozone, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
