- Ayra Starr has taken home two prestigious awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards.
- The ceremony, held annually to honour achievements in “music of black origin,” took place on Wednesday in Newcastle, United Kingdom.
- Ayra Starr made history by snagging ‘Best International Act’ as the first African female to win the prize and ‘Best African Music Act’ as the first female to win the prize in 16 years, beating the likes of Beyonce and Nicki Minaj to it.
Nigerian singer, Ayra Starr, was the joint top winner at the 2025 MOBO Awards held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Tuesday night.
The Mavin singer snagged two awards at the glitzy ceremony — Best African Music Act and Best International Act.
She beat stiff competition to win Best International Act, triumphing over music heavyweights Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, Tems, Asake, and Tyla.
She also defeated Asake, Rema, Tems, Burna Boy and Tyla to win the Best African Act award, becoming the first female winner of the category in 16 years.
Reacting to the news on social media, Ayra Starr wrote:
“My king !!! Jesus! Thank you!!!!! 😭 😭.”
British rapper, Central Cee became the joint most-decorated rapper in MOBOs history as he won Best Male Act for the record-breaking third year in a row.
British-Nigerian singer, Darkoo clinched the Best Female Act, over the likes of RAYE, Jorja Smith, Little Simz, Cleo Sol and Nia Archives.
90sbabyshow, the three-man podcast, won the ‘Best Media Personality’ category while Odeal, the Nigerian-born singer, claimed the ‘Best Newcomer’ award.
Born Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, Ayra Starr became a viral sensation after releasing her hit track ‘Bloody Samaritan’ in 2021.
Under the music producer Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, the songstress has gained popularity in the industry.
She also earned a plethora of awards and nominations for her craft.
Below is the full list of MOBO Award winners:
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
Myles Smith
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 (Nigeria)
WINNER: Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria)
King Promise (Ghana).
Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
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
