MOBO UnSung returns for 2024, offering life-changing opportunities for emerging talent to accelerate their careers! 

MOBO UnSung is open to singers, songwriters, producers, groups/live bands, rappers and poets who write/compose their own material.

Artists who perform within the musical genres of Hip Hop, Grime, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Reggae/Dancehall, African music, Alternative (Rock or indie pop), Electronic/Dance or Gospel (as well as Spoken Word) are eligible.

The competition is open only to musicians, bands, producers and performers based in the UK and Ireland who have not signed a contract to a record company, or any contract with any third party record label (or any similar arrangement which entitles a third party to your exclusive recording services) at the point of entering the competition. 

You must be a resident of the UK or Ireland to apply for MOBO UnSung. 

If you're based outside the UK and wish to have your music supported by MOBO, you can of course send a link to your music to our editorial team. You should find the relevant contact details on our 'Contact Us' page.

Yes, applicants must be aged 16 or older at time of application. 

MOBO UnSung - Terms and Conditions

Thank you for your interest in MOBO UnSung organised by MOBO Organisation Ltd. 

Please note the following important information and terms and conditions: 

1. The competition is open only to musicians, bands, producers and performers based in the UK and Ireland who have not signed a contract to a record company, or any contract with any third party record label (or any similar arrangement which entitles a third party to your exclusive recording services) at the point of entering the competition and you must notify us promptly if you enter into any such arrangements with any third parties during or prior to the expiry of the MOBO UnSung Competition. This restriction would not include self released material whether in the physical format or as a digital release. Self-released means recordings entirely financed by the musicians or performers with no financial assistance from any commercial organisation or relationship or an agreement with a record label or other investor but always expecting any distribution deal you might have entered into (including iTunes and/or a digital aggregator). In the event of any query or disagreement on what constitutes a valid entry, MOBO Organisation’s decision is final. You may only enter ONCE under one name (either as a solo artist or as part of a group) via the UnSung application form. Multiple entries will be disqualified (at our sole discretion).

2. This competition is open to musicians and performers who produce or create music within the following genres: 

• Hip Hop/Rap

• R&B/Soul 

• Alternative (Rock/Indie Pop) 

• Gospel 

• Grime 

• Jazz

• Reggae/Dancehall  

• African music  

• Dance/Electronic

• Spoken Word 

3. Applications will be accepted online only from 9am (09.00) on the 31st of October until 18:00 pm (18.00) GMT on the 20th November 2024 at https://mobo.com/unsung 

You will need to submit: 

• A link to two original sound recordings by you – this must be a URL link on a music streaming platform e.g. Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud etc.

• A direct link to a video of a music video or live performance on YouTube. It need not be a public link (unlisted on YouTube).  

• A direct link to a MOBO UnSung video audition on YouTube (unlisted). More info here. 

• Provide one high-resolution press photograph, and one biography (one side A4), both pre-cleared for all media uses. 

4. Regrettably we will not be able to enter into any correspondence with competition entrants. However we may contact each competition entrant to give them updates about the various stages of the competition. Please make sure your application is clear and complete. You cannot amend the application once it has been submitted, or submit additional songs, so please do not send additional links (or similar) to us. The acceptance of all entries is at the MOBO Organisation’s sole discretion.

5. The competition is free to enter. 

6. Entrants must write/compose their own music and maintain full ownership of it. 

7. By entering the competition you agree:

-  that any material submitted and any consequent live performance at the live auditions or at the MOBO UnSung showcase does not infringe the rights of any third parties and may be broadcast or streamed on the radio/television/internet without further consultation or renumeration.                                      

-  You will be available to perform at the MOBO UnSung live auditions on January 18, 2025.(Venue in London)

- You will be available for a MOBO UnSung Top 10 finalists talent media day on February 1, 2025. (Venue in London)

- You would be available to participate in activities featured in the ‘Class of 2025’ MOBO UnSung programme from January to October 2025 - full list of activities to be outlined. 

    8. The entry process, judging process and final decisions will follow this procedure:

- The MOBO UnSung team alongside a collective of music connoisseurs will listen to all the entries from the application form to narrow them down to a “Longlist” of 20 who will be invited to the live auditions in London. Successful entrants will be notified from the 13th December 2024 onwards. 

- From the 20 entrants, the MOBO UnSung Judging Panel will narrow it down to the Top 10 finalists. The decision of our first stage judging team and the Final Judging Panel is final. 

     9. All submissions must be the original work of the Finalist without restriction from any third party. 

10. The 10 finalists are expected to be available for any UnSung events, press or live performance opportunities in 2024/2025. 

11. The 10 finalists who are approached to take part in MOBO UnSung performance opportunities (excluding the MOBO UnSung showcase) must be 18+ - or must have parental consent to travel. 

12. Please note that in the event you are a finalist, you may be required at MOBO UnSung’s option to enter into an exclusive worldwide recording agreement with a commitment of up to one EP. Any entrants who are 16 years of age and under 18 will need to secure their parental/guardian’s approval. 

13. MOBO reserves the right to revise and amend these terms and conditions in its discretion without notice and will make available such revised terms and conditions. 

Applications will open on the 31st October at 9am GMT, via this website (www.mobo/unsung.com) and close on the 20th November at 18:00pm GMT. You will be required to fill out an online form and this will be an opportunity to tell us about yourself, your brand, as well as your music. 

Artists interested in applying need to have the following items available:

• High res press shot (x1200 or higher)
• YouTube, Spotify or other DSP URL links to your music  
• URL link to unlisted UnSung audition video on YouTube
• Artist Bio (minimum of 100 words)
• URL link to Twitter, TikTok or Instagram social media profile where applicable

As per MOBO privacy guidelines, we will keep all your personal information confidential and generally only use the information provided within the MOBO Organisation.

**Information such as artist bios and social media links will be used to build your profile and may be shared on a public domain. 

In previous years, this stage of the UnSung competition would include a public vote to assist with narrowing the Top 20 down to 10 finalists, who would go on to meet and perform for our esteemed MOBO UnSung judging panel. 

However, after careful consideration and feedback from key members of the music industry as well as previous UnSung finalists, we have decided to replace the public voting stage of the competition with a new element. 

With the wealth of incredible talent across a multitude of genres, as well as striving to make the process as fair as possible to all artists who make it to this stage in the competition, the public vote will make way for a review by independent, external music connoisseurs who will screen the selected entries to help the MOBO UnSung judging panel arrive at the final Top 10 finalists. 

With UnSung entrants enjoying different levels of support among fans, family and friends, as well as us also wanting to give each genre an equal opportunity, we feel that this new route is a welcome improvement.  

During this stage of the process, MOBO and the music connoisseurs will consider the following criteria when reviewing each applicant:

• Quality of music – authenticity, production, originality, presence
• Future potential within the UnSung programme
• Competition eligibility requirements 
• Live performance skills - stage presence & star quality 
• Quality of application – first impression upon review of artist bio, audition video and social media links 

Once the top entrants have been whittled down and contacted, an esteemed judging panel made up of music industry experts will convene to review the Top 20 applicants to determine which 10 acts will become a Top 10 finalist and a member of the MOBO UnSung Class Of 2025.

The judging panel stage of the UnSung competition will take place at a London venue in January 2025.

MOBO UnSung no longer has 1 competition winner but will have 10 finalists who will each receive prizes and enter into a nine month-long artist development programme. 

The 10 finalists of MOBO UnSung will be announced in February 2025. 

The next edition, UnSung Class of 2025, will be selected and enrolled into an exciting programme that includes studio time, live performance opportunities, mentoring, business and legal training, marketing and promotion, grants, and networking with key players in the music industry.

Marshall returns with their invaluable, ongoing support, offering UnSung artists access to their world-class recording studio, use of Marshall’s leading products and support through its record label, alongside performance and networking opportunities. 

MOBO UnSung also benefits from the ongoing support of PRS Foundation, helping to champion and nurture the next generation of musical talent. 

Canva joins as a partner to provide exclusive training sessions on visual storytelling for UnSung finalists, helping them enhance their online presence. Vevo will also provide editorial and marketing support to the Top 10 finalists through their prestigious DSCVR program, designed to spotlight emerging talent on a global stage. 

Further support comes from Help Musicians, who are partnering with MOBO to launch a new initiative offering financial support to artists in need, details of which will be revealed soon. BBC Music Introducing will also give finalists on-air exposure across its nationwide radio network.

As part of their journey, the UnSung Class of 2025 will participate in a special performance showcase during the MOBO Fringe Festival ahead of the 2025 MOBO Awards in Newcastle on February 18. This platform will give finalists the opportunity to perform, connect with industry leaders, and build momentum leading up to the highly-anticipated MOBO Awards ceremony. 

Regrettably, we will not be able to enter into any correspondence with competition entrants. However we may contact each competition entrant to give them updates about the various stages of the competition. Please make sure your application is clear and complete. You cannot amend the application once it has been submitted, or submit additional songs, so please do not send additional links (or similar) to us. The acceptance of all entries is at the MOBO Organisation’s sole discretion.

If you wish to get in touch with the MOBO UnSung team, please contact [email protected] with your query clearly stated in the subject line. A member of the UnSung team will aim to get back to requests that we can action within 48 hours. 

As always, you can refer to the MOBO UnSung FAQ section and Terms and Conditions for further details.

UnSung fans will be able to join the conversation by using #MOBOUnSung and following @moboofficial on TikTok and @mobo.unsung on Instagram and @MOBOawards across all other social channels.

For congratulating MOBO Unsung finalists:

So many talented artists featured in this year’s @MOBOAwards #MOBOUnSung competition! To support emerging talent + to find out further info on the competition, head over to mobo.com/unsung.

And please make note of our MOBO UnSung URL link.

1. Mobo.com/unsung