Global hip-hop icon Eve and comedian and broadcaster Eddie Kadi will host the 2026 MOBO Awards at Co-op Live in Manchester on 26 March.
Alongside the host announcement, MOBO has revealed the first wave of performers for the 2026 Awards, with a roster of women making waves across their respective genres. Olivia Dean, FLO and Tiwa Savage are the first artists confirmed to take the stage at this landmark celebration, with more performers and special honourees to be announced soon. Tickets are available now via mobo.com/tickets.
Eddie Kadi returns for the second consecutive year as host. Eddie is a multi-hyphenate comedian known for his brand of humour that references his heritage and cultural observations. He is a passionate advocate for African music, hosting BBC Radio 1Xtra’s The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show and became the first Black British comedian to headline London’s O2.
He took on his first MOBO role in 2021 in Coventry as a roaming host before co-hosting last year’s ceremony with Indiyah Polack. Eddie’s extensive list of TV credits include joining the cast of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Live At The Apollo (BBC), resident Team Captain on Sorry I Didn’t Know (ITV) as well as The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV), The Apprentice (BBC), The Comedy Awards (Channel 4) and his own successful podcast Man Like You alongside Babatunde Aléshé and Mo Gilligan.
Eddie Kadi said: “To be back for the second year in a row co-hosting the MOBO Awards is an honour, especially for its 30th anniversary. For three decades, MOBO has celebrated Black music excellence from all different genres. Expect the unexpected with performances and surprise appearances. It’s a big year and I’m so proud to be part of this legendary show.”
Olivia Dean, Little Simz and rising stars kwn and Jim Legxacy are up for the most awards this year, earning four nominations each; while FLO, Central Cee, Skepta, and PinkPantheress are up for three awards each. Netflix’s acclaimed series Adolescence receives two nominations for Best Performance in a TV Show / Film, recognising Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham, alongside Cynthia Erivo for Wicked and Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners. Full list of 2026 nominees HERE. Voting is now open for select categories HERE.
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