The MOBO Awards 2026 will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a star-studded ceremony at Co-op Live on March 26th, bringing together leading names from across Black music and culture. The show will be hosted by rapper and actress Eve alongside comedian Eddie Kadi, with a global livestream available via Amazon Music’s UK Twitch channel from 8:00 p.m. GMT. A television special, MOBO Awards 2026: Access All Areas, will air on BBC One the following day, hosted by DJ Target.
This year’s ceremony will honour two legendary figures in global music. Producer, songwriter and artist Pharrell Williams will receive the MOBO Global Songwriter Award, recognising his decades-long impact on popular music through collaborations with artists such as Jay-Z, Daft Punk, Kendrick Lamar, Madonna and Justin Timberlake. Meanwhile, pioneering rapper Slick Rick will be presented with the MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his role as one of the architects of modern rap storytelling.
Slick Rick will also take to the stage for a special collaborative performance with Grammy-winning British singer Estelle, marking a rare moment that reflects both artists’ long-standing ties to the MOBO stage. The performance will highlight Rick’s journey through hip-hop, from his South London roots to international acclaim.
The 2026 ceremony will also feature a wide-ranging line-up of performers including Jamaican star Shenseea, who is set to appear alongside British artists Olivia Dean, FLO, Aitch and Myles Smith, as well as Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage. A special segment titled “MOBO Salutes: Grime 25” will celebrate the genre’s milestone anniversary with appearances from Wiley, Chip, Nolay, Scorcher and D Double E, curated by DJ Target.
According to MOBO founder and CEO Kanya King, “MOBO has always been about recognising the cultural architects as well as the rising stars shaping the future. Pharrell Williams’ songwriting genius has influenced the sound of global music for decades, while Slick Rick’s storytelling laid the foundations for generations of hip hop artists. To celebrate that legacy with a special performance alongside Estelle is a real full-circle moment for us. And with Shenseea representing the vibrant new wave of Caribbean music on the world stage, this year’s show captures exactly what the MOBO Group has stood for over the last 30 years.”
Beyond the awards show itself, the celebrations will include MOBO Fringe 2026, a week-long cultural programme running from March 17th to 24th across Manchester. The initiative will feature live showcases, panels, workshops and community events organised in collaboration with Manchester City Council and Manchester Music City, bringing together artists, industry professionals and local communities.
Since its launch in 1996, the MOBO Awards have become one of the most influential platforms celebrating Black music and culture, honouring genres including hip-hop, grime, R&B, reggae, jazz, gospel and African music. Past honourees and performers have included icons such as Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Usher, Rihanna, Cardi B, Davido and H.E.R..
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