The MOBO Awards 2024 are in full swing at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield with some of the industry's biggest stars taking part in the glittering occasion.
One of the first newcomers to emerge was Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis-Hill, who went leggy and all black on the red carpet on Wednesday.
British track and field athlete Dame Jessica, 38, set hearts racing as she donned a stunning floor-length dress which featured a dangerously high slit down the left leg.
The Adidas ambassador showed off her sun-kissed legs in the long-sleeved velvet dress, which featured intricate embellishments at the opening.
To add some sparkle to the outfit, Jessica paired her sensational look with a diamond-shaped shiny clutch.
The MOBO Awards 2024 are in full swing at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield with some of the industry's biggest stars taking part in the glittering occasion. One of the first newcomers to emerge is Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis-Hill
British track and field athlete Dame Jessica, 38, set hearts racing as she donned a stunning floor-length dress which featured a dangerously high slit down the left leg
She paired the glamorous outfit with a pair of simple black strappy stilettos.
The Olympic champion accessorized with a pair of elegant statement earrings with two large pearls.
Speaking to The Sun on the red carpet, she said: “I feel so lucky and fortunate to have been able to make a career out of something that started as a hobby for so many years and then expands into inspiring others. “To enable young girls to get into sport, which is a great honour.
“I never feel the pressure, it’s just an absolute privilege to be honest.”
Stormzy and Raye are among the nominees vying for the coveted gongs at the ceremony. Hosted by Babatunde Aleshe, Indiyah Polack and Zeze Mills.
At this year's ceremony, Stormzy and Little Simz took home the most awards after both being nominated four times each.
For the first time in its history, the 26th MOBO Awards were presented in collaboration with MOBOLISE. takes place at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
Acclaimed rapper Little Simz received nominations for Best Female Act, Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Best Hip-Hop Act.
The Adidas ambassador showed off her sun-kissed legs in the long-sleeved velvet dress, which featured intricate embellishments at the opening
To add some sparkle to the outfit, Jessica paired her sensational look with a diamond-shaped shiny clutch. She paired the glamorous outfit with a pair of simple black strappy stilettos
The Olympic champion accessorized with a pair of elegant statement earrings with two large pearls
In the “Best Female” category she competes against Flo, Jorja Smith, Mahalia, Pinkpatheress and Raye.
Simz scored a big win at last year's ceremony in London, tying for Album of the Year with Knucks, a tie for the first time in MOBO history.
Elsewhere, grime superstar Stormzy is nominated for Best Male Actor, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year.
The widely acclaimed MC has won six MOBO Awards in his career and was the first-ever winner when the Best Grime Act category was introduced in 2014.
He fights against Central Cee, Dave, D-Block Europe, J Hus and Nines.
Central Cee, J Hus, PinkPantheress and Raye follow closely behind with three nominations each.
Central Cee is nominated for Best Male Act, Song of the Year (supported by BBC Radio 1xtra) and Best Drill Act.
J Hus, the London rapper who has had a career-defining year with the release of his third album, Beautiful and Brutal Yard, also has three nominations; Best Male Act, Album of the Year and Song of the Year (supported by BBC Radio 1xtra).
“Sprinter” by Central Cee & Dave and “Who Telled You” by J Hus are nominated for the coveted album of the year. feat. Drake, Little Things by Jorja Smith, Boys A Liar Pt. 2 by Pinkpantheress and Ice Spice, Escapism by Raye & 070 Shake and Stormzy's Hide and Seek.
MOBO founder Kanya King CBE said: “We are proud to support this year’s incredible line-up of nominees for the 26th MOBO Awards, all of whom stand out to us through their remarkable work across music, film, television, online and more Music and content have drawn attention.” .
Stormzy and Little Simz picked up the most awards at the 2024 MOBO Awards when the full shortlist was announced in December
Acclaimed rapper Little Simz picked up awards for Best Female Act, Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Best Hip-Hop Act.
Close behind with three nominations each are Central Cee, J Hus, PinkPantheress and Raye (pictured).
“Since 1996, we have been celebrating Black music and culture, breaking new ground and moving forward, and seeing MOBO evolve and innovate to support outstanding talent beyond music.”
“This year’s nominees not only represent the best of their genre and art form and an incredible year in music, but also continue our commitment to maintaining an inclusive ecosystem where diverse talent is recognized and empowered to thrive.”
“With the continued development of our MOBO UnSung talent program and MOBOLISE career development platform, we are ready and excited to take our pioneer status to the next level and celebrate and recognize the tremendous contributions of groundbreaking musicians and cultural heroes in a way unique to MOBO. See you on February 7th!'
While preparations are underway for breathtaking live music performances, there will also be special tributes.
Performances from Soul II Soul, Ghetts, Sugababes, DJ Spoony, Cristale and Byron M will entertain guests during the ceremony.
In addition to the existing Paving The Way and the Lifetime Achievement Award, MOBO will also introduce the MOBO Impact and the MOBO Pioneer Award.
The 26th MOBO Awards: Access All Areas special, hosted by DJ Target, will air this Friday, February 9th at 11:30pm on BBC One.
Nominations for the MOBO Awards 2024
BEST MALE ACT
CENTRAL CEE
DAVE
D-BLOCK EUROPE
J HUS
NINE
STORMY
Best feminine effect in combination with shea moisture
FLO
JORJA SMITH
SMALL SIMZ
MAHALIA
PINK PANTHERESS
RAYE
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
EZRA COLLECTIVE – WHERE I SHOULD BE
J HUS – BEAUTIFUL AND BRUTAL COURTYARD
LITTLE SIMZ – NO THANKS
POTTER PAYPER – REAL AGAIN IN STYLE
RAYE – MY 21ST CENTURY BLUES
Stormy – THAT is what I mean
SONG OF THE YEAR, SUPPORTED BY BBC RADIO 1XTRA
CENTRAL CEE & DAVE – “SPRINTER”
J HUS FEAT. DRAKE – “Who Told You?”
JORJA SMITH – “LITTLE THINGS”
PINKPANTHERESS & ICE SPICE – “BOYS A LIAR PT.2”
RAYE & 070 SHAKE – “ESCAPISM”
STORMZY – “HIDE & SEEK”
BEST NEWCOMER
AMA LOU
ANTSLIVE
DEBBIE
JAYO
NIPPA
NO INSTRUCTIONS
RIMZEE
BEACH ROOM
TAMERA
HOURS
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
ANTSLIVE – “NUMBER ONE CANDIDATE” (DIRECTED BY TOM EMMERSON)
ENNY – “NO MORE NAIJA MEN” (DIRECTOR: OTIS DOMINIQUE)
JORDS – “DIRT IN THE DIAMOND EP1: MOBAY FEAT. TAY IWAR / STAY CLOSE FEAT. “KRANIUM” (DIRECTED BY RENEE MARIA OSUBU)
LITTLE SIMZ – “GORILLA” (DIRECTED BY DAVE MEYERS)
STORMZY – “MEL MADE ME DO IT” (DIRECTED BY KLVDR)
TION WAYNE – “HEALING” (DIRECTED BY WOWA)
BEST R&B/SOUL ACT
BELLAH
JAZ KARIS
MAHALIA
RAGZ ORIGINALS
SAMPHA
SAULT
BEST HIP HOP ACT
AVELINO
CLAVISH
DIGGA D
ENNY
FREDO
GIGGS
SMALL SIMZ
LOYLE CARNER
NINE
POTTER PAYPER
BEST GRIME ACT
BUGZY MALONE
DUPPY
FLOWDAN
MANGA SAINT HILARE
NOVELIST
P MONEY
BEST DRILLING RIG WITH TRENCH SUPPORT
CENTRAL CEE
HEADIE ONE
K-TRAP
KWENGFACE
M24
RUSSIAN MILLION
TEAZANDOS
UNKNOWN T
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT (USA)
DOJA CAT
DRAKE & 21 SAVAGE
TRAVIS SCOTT
ICE SEASONING
LATTO
LIL UZI VERT
NICKI MINAJ
Sexy red
SZA
VICTORIA MONET
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW/MOVIE
ADJANI SALMON AS KWABENA – DREAMING WHILE BLACK
DAMSON IDRIS AS FRANKLIN SAINT – SNOWFALL
DÉJA J. BOWENS AS VITA CHAMPION
IDRIS ELBA AS SAM – HIJACK
INDIA AMARTEIFIO AS QUEEN CHARLOTTE – QUEEN CHARLOTTE: A BRIDGERTON STORY
JOHN BOYEGA AS FONTAINE – THEY CLONE TYRONE
LASHANA LYNCH AS IZOGIE – THE QUEEN
LETITIA WRIGHT AS SHURI – BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
MALCOLM KAMULETE AS BOSCO CHAMPION
VIVIAN OPARAH AS YAS – RYE LANE
BEST MEDIA PERSONALITY
ALISON HAMMOND
AMELIA DIMOLDENBERG
HENRIE KWUSHUE
Madame Joyce
MAYA JAMA
PRESSED PODCAST
REMI BURGZ
SHXTSNIGS
TECHNICAL DATA GONZALEZ
ZEZE MILLZ
BEST AFRICAN MUSIC ACT RELATED TO LOCO MUSIC
ADEKUNLE GOLD (NIGERIA)
ASAKE (NIGERIA)
AYRA STARR (NIGERIA)
BURNA BOY (NIGERIA)
DAVIDO (NIGERIA)
LIBIANCA (CAMEROON)
REMA (NIGERIA)
TYLA (SOUTH AFRICA)
UNCLE WEAPONS (ESWATINI)
WIZKID (NIGERIA)
BEST CARIBBEAN MUSIC ACT
BYRON MESSIAH
DESTRA
KABAKA PYRAMID
POPCAAN
SHENSEEA
BRAVE
BEST JAZZ ACT SUPPORTED BY JAZZ FM
BLUE LAB BEATS (UK)
CKTRL (UK)
EZRA COLLECTIVE (UK)
MASEGO (USA)
REUBEN JAMES (Great Britain)
YAZMIN LACEY (Great Britain)
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT IN COLLABORATION WITH MARSHALL
OLD BLK ERA
ARLO PARKS
DEIJUVHS
CHILDREN'S BOOK
Skinned
YOUNG FATHERS
BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ACT SUPPORTED BY BEMA & MIXMAG
ALUNA
NIA ARCHIVE
PINK PANTHERESS
GREETING
SHY GIRL
TSHA
BEST MANUFACTURER, SUPPORTED BY COMPLEX UK
INFLO
KYLE EVANS
M1ONTHEBEAT
P2J
STEEL BANGLE
TSB
BEST GOSPEL ACT SUPPORTED BY PREMIER GOSPEL
ANNATORIA (UK)
CALLEDOUT MUSIC (UK)
GUVNA B (Great Britain)
LIMOBLAZE (NIGERIA)
TOFUNMI ADORNA (UK)
TRIPLE O (UK)