After a ground-breaking virtual ceremony in 2020, this year the MOBO Awards to a live show format in Coventry, the UK’s City of Culture. Artists who are shaping the cultural zeitgeist and re-defining the future of the British music landscape were honoured in a star-studded ceremony that was streamed on YouTube.

The ceremony, at Coventry Building Society Arena, was hosted by multi-platinum-selling artist and actress Leigh-Anne Pinnock and comedian and broadcaster Munya Chawawa, with special guest host Eddie Kadi, who presents BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show.

The show featured blockbuster performances from a diverse range of talent: Ghetts, Pa Salieu, Stefflon Don and Ms Banks, Bree Runway, Potter Payper, Tems, NSG and ENNY. Legendary world heavyweight champion boxer Frank Bruno MBE was honoured with the MOBO Inspiration Award, in recognition of his indelible impact on British sport, having battled racism and mental health stigma in and outside the ring during his storied rise to the top.

Dave, who took home Best Newcomer at the 2017 MOBO Awards, has come full circle winning the prestigious Album of The Year for his critically lauded release “We’re All Alone In This Together”, which became his second consecutive No.1 charting album on the UK Official Charts.

The awe-inspiring Little Simz scooped Best Female Act – in association with Arts Council England, rounding off a successful year with her immaculate album “Sometimes I Might Be An Introvert”. Ghetts also took home Best Male Act after a momentous year with his contemplative body of work “Conflict of Interest”, which peaked at No.2 on the UK Albums Chart.

Central Cee took home Best Newcomer – in association with ASOS and became the inaugural winner of MOBO’s Best Drill Act – in association with TRENCH. Tion Wayne and Russ Millions won Song of The Year – in association with Coventry Building Society Arena for ‘Body (Remix)’ featuring ArrDee, Bugzy Malone, Buni, Darkoo, E1 (3x3), Fivio Foreign and ZT (3x3).

Nigerian superstar Wizkid bagged Best International Act and Best African Music Act – in association with Afrozons with Sheila O. Elsewhere, BAFTA-winning British actor Micheal Ward won Best Performance in a TV Show/Film for his portrayal of Franklyn in Small Axe.