MOBO Awards 2022: Little Simz, Central Cee and PinkPantheress among winners – as Craig David, Nile Rodgers and the late Jamal Edwards honoured with special awards

This year’s MOBO Awards winners have been revealed, with artists including Central Cee, PinkPantheress, Little Simz, Knucks and Burna Boy among the stars picking up gongs.

Celebrating black music in the UK and internationally, the 25th annual MOBOs ceremony took place at Wembley arena on Wednesday evening, with special awards also given to Nile Rodgers and Craig David, and posthumously to YouTube entrepreneur Jamal Edwards.

TikTok break-out star PinkPantheress was named winner in the best female act category, beating artists including Little Simz and Mahalia, while drill rapper Central Cee picked up the gong for best male, seeing off competition from stars such as Dave and Digga D.

In an unusual move, the album of the year prize was given jointly to Little Simz, for her Mercury-winning Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, and Knucks, for Alpha Place.

Own Brand (Baddie), by Dreya Mac, FelixThe1st and Finch Fetti, was named song of the year, while Central Cee picked up a another prize, video of the year, for Doja.

Best newcomer went to rapper Bru-C, while Nigerian singer-songwriter and producer Burna Boy was named best international artist.

Read more: ‘The beginning of a lot of change’: 25 years of the MOBOs

In the genre categories, Mahalia was named best R’n’B/soul act, D Double E was named best grime act, D Block Europe triumphed in the hip hop category, and K-Trap took home the award for best drill act.

Announced ahead of the ceremony, the lifetime achievement award was won by Chic star Nile Rodgers, while six-time MOBO winner Craig David was honoured for his outstanding contribution to the industry.

The late Jamal Edwards, who helped launch the careers of artists including Ed Sheeran, Dave, Rita Ora and Jessie J, was honoured posthumously with the MOBO paving the way award, marked by a tribute performance by Emeli Sande.

Rodgers and David were also among the performers at the event, along with Kojey Radical, Tion Wayne, Fireboy DML, Cat Burns, FLO, Eliza Rose and Beenie Man.

The full list of winners

Best male act – Central Cee
Best female act – PinkPantheress
Album of the year – Knucks’ Alpha Place and Little Simz’s Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Song of the year – Own Brand (Baddie) by Dreya Mac, FelixThe1st and Finch Fetti
Best newcomer – Bru-C
Video of the year – Doja, by Central Cee
Best R’n’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
Best performance in a TV show/ film – Kane Robinson (Kano) as Sully in Top Boy
Best media personality – Nella Rose
Best alternative music act – Bob Vylan
Best electronic/ dance act – Nia Archives
Best African music act – Burna Boy
Best gospel act – Still Shadey
Best jazz act – Ezra Collective
Best Caribbean music act – Skillibeng
Best producer – Inflo
Lifetime achievement award – Nile Rodgers
Outstanding contribution – Craig David
Paving the way – Jamal Edwards