Vybz Kartel Nominated For Two MOBO Awards In 2026, Including Best International Act

Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel has secured two nominations for the 2026 MOBO Awards, including a nod in the crowded ‘Best International Act’ category.

The double nomination comes just a year after Kartel’s return to the stage at the 2025 ceremony in Newcastle, where he received the MOBO Impact Award and performed live following his release from prison. Now, the Fever deejay is vying for ‘Best Caribbean Music Act’ and ‘Best International Act.’

In the ‘Best Caribbean Music Act’ category, Kartel faces stiff competition from fellow dancehall heavyweight Masicka and rising stars Lila Iké, Ayetian, and Trini artist Yung Bredda.

Also nominated is Shenseea, marking her fourth MOBO nomination. The Blessed singer is looking to defend her title after winning ‘Best Caribbean Music Act’ in 2025 against the likes of Popcaan and Skillibeng. She also previously won ‘Best Reggae Act’ in 2021, the year before that category was replaced by Best Caribbean Music Act.

2026 ‘Best Caribbean Music Act’ Nominees:

• Ayetian
• Lila Iké
• Masicka
• Shenseea
• Vybz Kartel
• Yung Bredda

Kartel’s second nomination places him in the Best International Act category, where he stands alongside global superstars. The nomination pits the dancehall veteran against Afro-pop sensations Tyla and Ayra Starr, as well as US hip-hop heavyweights Cardi B, Gunna, and Clipse.

2026 ‘Best International Act’ Nominees:

• Ayra Starr
• Cardi B
• Clipse
• Gunna
• Kehlani
• Leon Thomas
• Mariah The Scientist
• Moliy
• Tyla
• Vybz Kartel

Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of MOBO Group, highlighted the significance of this year’s list as the organization enters a milestone year.

“As MOBO enters its 30th year, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary breadth of talent we have championed over the past three decades,” King said. “Time and again, artists have taken the recognition of a MOBO Award and transformed it into fuel for lasting success.”

King noted that the 2026 roster represents a shift in the cultural landscape.

“This year’s nominees are a powerful reflection of the culture and moment we are living in. Their voices matter — not only in how they soundtrack our lives, but in how they shape the future,” she said. “From sharp, socially conscious lyricism to boundary-pushing creativity that defies genre, this generation of artists is deeply connected to their communities.”

She concluded, “The 2026 nominations represent one of the strongest and most diverse showcases of Black British music excellence we’ve seen in years.”

The 2026 ceremony will recognize outstanding talent and releases from the eligibility period of September 1, 2024, to October 1, 2025.

For the first time in its history, the MOBO Awards will take place in Manchester. A release added that the awards will be held on March 26, live from Co-op Live, the UK’s newest and largest live entertainment arena.

Full list of nominations:

Best male act

• Central Cee
• Elmiene
• Jim Legxacy
• Nemzzz
• Odeal
• Skepta

Best female act

• Flo
• Kwn
• Little Simz
• Olivia Dean
• Pinkpantheress
• Sasha Keable

Album of the year

• Central Cee – Can’t Rush Greatness
• Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching
• Flo – Access All Areas
• Kojey Radical – Don’t Look Down
• Little Simz – Lotus
• Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving

Song of the year

• AJ Tracey Feat. Jorja Smith – Crush
• Donaeo Feat. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir – Nights Like This
• Fred Again, Skepta & Plaqueboymax – Victory Lap
• Jim Legxacy & Dave – 3x
• Kwn – Do What I Say
• Myles Smith – Nice To Meet You
• Olivia Dean – Man I Need
• Pinkpantheress – Illegal
• Raye – Where Is My Husband!
• Tim Duzit – Kat Slater

Best newcomer

• DC3
• EsDeeKid
• Finessekid
• Jim Legxacy
• Kwn
• Namesbliss
• Nia Smith
• Sekou
• Skye Newman
• YT

Video of the year

• Pozer – Shanghigh Noon
• FKA Twigs – Eusexua
• Jim Legxacy –
• Little Simz – Flood
• Raye – Where Is My Husband!
• Skepta & Fred Again.. – Back 2 Back

Best R&B / Soul act

• Elmiene
• Flo
• Kwn
• Odeal
• Olivia Dean
• Sasha Keable

Best alternative music act

• Alt Blk Era
• Blood Orange
• Hak Baker
• Michael Kiwanuka
• Nova Twins
• Rachel Chinouriri

Best grime act

• Chip
• Jayahadadream
• Kasst 8
• Ruff Sqwad
• Scorcher
• Wiley

Best hip-hop act

• Aitch
• Asco
• Catch
• Central Cee
• D-Block Europe
• Kojey Radical
• Little Simz
• Loyle Carner
• Wretch 32
• Youngs Teflon

Best drill act

• 36
• Booter Bee
• Chy Cartier
• Esdeekid
• K-Trap
• Leostaytrill
• Nemzzz
• Pozer
• Twin S
• Wohdee

Best international act

• Ayra Starr
• Cardi B
• Clipse
• Gunna
• Kehlani
• Leon Thomas
• Mariah The Scientist
• Moliy
• Tyla
• Vybz Kartel

Best media personality

• Bemi Orojuogun (Bus Aunty)
• Dj Ag
• In My Opinion
• Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe (Melissas Wardrobe)
• Nadia Jae
• Niko Omilana
• Pk Humble
• Remi Burgz
• Uche Natori
• Winners Talking

Best performance in a TV Show / Film

• Aaron Pierre – Mufasa: The Lion King
• Ashley Thomas – Hostage
• Ashley Walters – Adolescence
• Cynthia Erivo – Wicked
• Damson Idris – F1
• Dayo Koleosho – Eastenders
• Lennie James – Mr Loverman
• Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths
• Stephen Graham – Adolesence
• Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners

Best African music act

• Adekunle Gold
• Ayra Starr
• Davido
• Joshua Baraka
• Moliy
• Rema
• Shallipopi
• Tiwa Savage
• Tyla
• Wizkid

Best Caribbean music act

• Ayetian
• Lila Iké
• Masicka
• Shenseea
• Vybz Kartel
• Yung Bredda

Best jazz act

• Cktrl
• Ego Ella May
• Ezra Collective
• Kokoroko
• Nubya Garcia
• Yazmin Lacey

Best electronic act

• FKA Twigs
• Jazzy
• Kilimanjaro
• Pinkpantheress
• Salute
• Sherelle

Best gospel act

• Annatoria
• DC3
• Faith Child
• Imrhan
• Sondae
• Still Shadey

Best producer

• Inflo
• Jae5
• Miles Clinton James
• P2J
• Sammy Soso
• Zach Nahome