Here’s what went down at last night’s MOBO Awards

The awards, which celebrate Black music and culture, saw the first-ever tie in their 25-year history.

December 1, 2022

Little Simz, Knucks, PinkPantheress and Central Cee took home top prizes at this year’s MOBO Awards, the annual ceremony celebrating the best in Black musical talent from Britain and abroad.

Little Simz and Knucks were crowned joint winners for the album of the year prize, for their albums Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and Alpha Place, respectively; Central Cee won the award for best male act, as well as video of the year for his song ‘Doja,’ while PinkPantheress won best female act. Also winning two awards was Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, who took home trophies for best international act and best African music act.

Little Simz’s award for best album comes a year after her first MOBO win, for best female act, and caps off a landmark year that has seen her win the Mercury Prize as well as the BRIT award for best new act.

This is the second year in a row that Central Cee has taken home two awards at the MOBOs. Last year, he won best newcomer and best drill act. Overall, 2022 has been a banner year for the London rapper, with his album 23 hitting number one in the UK and ‘Doja’ making the top 10 in seven countries.

Elsewhere in the ceremony, Dreya Mac, FelixThe1st and Finch Fetti won song of the year for their viral hit ‘Own Brand Freestyle,’ Bru-C won best newcomer, Mahalia won best R&B/soul act, and D Double E took home best grime act. Inflo – one of the producers on Sometimes I Might Be Introvert – won the award for producer of the year.

This year’s MOBO awards ceremony was hosted at London’s OVO Arena Wembley and was live-streamed on YouTube. The ceremony was hosted by YouTubers Chunkz and Yung Filly, and featured performances from legendary producer and Chic bandleader Nile Rodgers, Craig David, Kojey Radical and more. Rodgers was also honoured with a lifetime achievement award, while David received an award for outstanding contribution. This year’s ceremony featured a tribute to Jamal Edwards MBE, the late DJ and SBTV founder, performed by Emeli Sandé.

Mobo winners 2022

Best male act: Central Cee

Best female act: PinkPantheress

Album of the year: Knucks – Alpha Pace and Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

Song of the year: Dreya Mac, FelixThe1st and Finch Fetti – ‘Own Brand Freestyle’

Best newcomer: Bru-C

Video of the year: Central Cee – ‘Doja’

Best R&B/soul act: Mahalia

Best grime act: D Double E

Best hip-hop act: D-Block Europe

Best drill act: K-Trap

Best international act: Burna Boy