South African Amapiano producer Kabza De Small is among the likes of Little Simz, Knucks and Central Cee, who lead the list of nominees at the 2022 MOBO Awards.
When and where are the 2022 MOBO Awards taking place?
The ‘Home’ hitmaker, 27, has been put up for five nods at the ceremony – which is taking place on 30 November at the OVO Arena Wembley, London – including recognition in the Album of the Year, Best Male Act, Best Hip-Hop Act and two Video of the Year recognitions for both his song ‘Alpha House/Hide and Seek’ and for his guest spot on fellow nominee’s Kojey Radical’s single ‘Payback’.
Mercury Music Prize winner, Simz is up for four – Album of the Year for her ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’, Best Female Act, Best Hip-Hop Act and Video of the Year – the same number that the ‘Doja’ hitmaker, 24, is in the running for; with Central C nominated for Best Male Act, Best Drill Act (supported by Trench), Song of The Year (in association with Lucozade) and Video of The Year. At last year’s awards, he scooped up the Best Newcomer.
Along with recognising other talent from across the world, the awarding body has added two new music categories to mark its 26th year; Best Alternative Music Act (in association with Marshall) and Best Dance/Electronic Act (supported by Mixmag) to mark the widening cultural understanding of the music of black origin, which the event celebrates.
Kanya King, the award’s founder said:
“Today’s announcement truly shows what a bumper year it has been for the scene. It’s a proud moment to see MOBO once again recognise and honour the luminaries and tip the stars of the future. This is what it means when we say ‘honouring the past, inspiring the future’. Big congratulations to all our nominees and thanks to our headline partner Lucozade. A special mention to ASOS, Marshall and all our other partners. We are proud to announce the addition of two new categories to recognise the breadth of black culture’s impact on a variety of music genres and welcome more rising stars, ahead of what will be a truly unmissable celebration of our 25 years.”
Tickets for the MOBO Awards in association with Lucozade are available now.
Here are the nominees
Here’s the full list of the 2022 MOBO Awards nominees:
Best Male Act:
- Central Cee
- Dave
- D-Block Europe
- Digga D
- Knucks
- Tion Wayne
Best Female Act:
- Little Simz
- Mahalia
- Miraa May
- Ms Banks
- PinkPantheress
- Tiana Major9
Album of the Year:
- Aitch – ‘Close to Home’
- Knucks – ‘Alpha Place’
- Kojey Radical – ‘Reason to Smile’
- Little Simz – ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’
- M Huncho – ‘Chasing Euphoria’
- Miraa May – ‘Tales of a Miracle’
- Song of the Year in Association with Lucozade (PUBLIC VOTED CATEGORY):
- Aitch feat. Ashanti – ‘Baby’
- Central Cee – ‘Doja’
- Dave – ‘Starlight’
- Digga D and Stillbrickin – ‘Pump 101’
- Dreya Mac, Felixth1st and Finch Fetti – ‘Own Brand (Baddie)’
- Potter Payper feat. Tiggs Da Author – ‘Gangsterius’
Best Newcomer in Association with ASOS (PUBLIC VOTED CATEGORY):
- Amara BB
- Bru-C
- Cat Burns
- Clavish
- Cristale
- Flo
- Jbee
- Nemmzzz
- Nia Archives
- Switchotr
Video of the Year (PUBLIC VOTED CATEGORY):
- Central Cee – ‘Doja’ (Directed by Cole Bennett)
- Headie One, Abra Cadabra Bandokay – ‘Can’t Be Us’ (Directed by Headie One and Don Prod)
- Knucks – ‘Alpha House/Hide Seek’ (Directed by Emile Ebrahim Kelly)
- Kojey Radical feat. Knucks – ‘Payback’ (Directed by Charlie Sarsfield and Ejiro Dafe)
- Little Simz feat. Obongjayar – ‘Point and Kill’ (Directed by Ebeneza Blanche)
- MAHALIA – ‘Whatever Simon Says’ (Directed by Mahalia)
Best R B/Soul Act:
- Ella Mai
- Mahalia
- Miraa May
- Nao
- Shakka
- Tiana Major9
Best Grime Act (PUBLIC VOTED CATEGORY):
- Blay Vision
- D Double E
- Frisco
- Kamakaze
- Manga Saint Hilare
- Novelist
Best Hip-Hop Act in Association with Mixtape Madness:
- D-Block Europe
- Knucks
- Kojey Radical
- Little Simz
- Potter Payper
- Youngs Teflon
Best Drill Act supported by Trench (PUBLIC VOTED CATEGORY):
- Central Cee
- Digga D
- Headie One
- Ivorian Doll
- K-Trap
- Kwengface
- M24
- Russ Millions
- Unknown T
- V9
Best International Act (PUBLIC VOTED CATEGORY):
- Beyonce
- Burna Boy
- Chris Brown
- Drake
- Jack Harlow
- Jazmine Sullivan
- Kendrick Lamar
- Skillibeng
- Summer Walker
- Tems
Best Performance in a TV Show/Film (PUBLIC VOTED CATEGORY):
- Damson Idris as Franklin Saint – ‘Snowfall’
- Daniel Kaluuya as Otis “OJ” Haywood JR. – ‘NOPE’
- Jasmine Jobson aS Jaq – ‘Top Boy’
- Kane Robinson (Kano) as Sully – ‘Top Boy’
- Lashana Lynch as Nomi – ‘No Time to Die’
- Samuel Adewunimi as Hero- ‘You Don’t Know Me’
Best Media Personality (PUBLIC VOTED CATEGORY):
- Big Zuu
- Chuckie Online
- Chunkz
- Harry Pinero
- KSI
- Mo Gilligan
- Munya Chawawa
- Nella Rose
- Yung Filly
- Zeze Millz
Best Alternative Music Act in Association with Marshall:
- Big Joanie
- Bob Vylan
- Kid Bookie
- Loathe
- Nova Twins
- Skunk Anansie
Best Electronic/Dance Act supported by MixMag:
- Anz
- Eliza Rose
- FKA Twigs
- Jax Jones
- Nia Archives
- Sherelle
Best African Music Act supported by Afrozons – (PUBLIC VOTED CATEGORY):
- Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
- Kabza De Small (South Africa)
- Omah Lay (Nigeria)
- Oxlade (Nigeria)
- Pheelz (Nigeria)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Tems (Nigeria)
Best Gospel Act Supported by Premier Gospel:
- Asha Elia
- Calledout Music
- Rachel Kerr
- Reblah
- Sarah Teibo
- Still Shadey
Best Jazz Act Supported by Jazz FM:
- Blue Lab Beats
- Doomcannon
- Ego Ella May
- Ezra Collective
- Jas Kayser
- Kokoroko
Best Caribbean Music Act:
- Koffee
- Popcaan
- Sean Paul
- Shenseea
- Skillbeng
- Spice
Best Producer Supported by Complex UK:
- Inflo
- JAE5
- Labrinth
- M1onthebeat
- P2J
- TSB