Central Cee makes history at Mobo Awards

Central Cee has made history at the Mobo Awards, becoming the first artist to be named best male act three times.

It was his seventh trophy, matching Stormzys record as the most decorated rapper in the awards history.

He did not attend the ceremony in person, with his prize instead collected by host Eddie Kadi who joked they "share everything... except royalties".

The event in Newcastle also saw Bashy claim best album and best hip-hop act after a 15-year break from music and Darkoo beat off competition from Raye and Jorja Smith to be recognised as best female act.

Accepting her award, Darkoo said she "tried Chat GPT" to write her speech "but I didnt know how to make it work", so instead freestyled and thanked her family for supporting her.

"Its been a rollercoaster but they believed in me for the past year and Ive been shutting it down."

Cental Cee, also known as Cench, was previously named best male act in 2024 and released his debut album last month after eight top 10 singles.

Reacting to his win on Instagram, he posted a screenshot of the awards coverage with the comment "thats nice".

He missed out on his other two nominations including best drill act, which went to Pozer, and song of the year which was won by Darkoo alongside her trophy for best female act.

Despite not making breaking into the UK singles charts, the British-Nigerian artist won for Favourite Girl, a collab with Dess Dior, ahead of Stormzys number one track with Chase & Status, Backbone, as well as Central Cees collab with Lil Baby, Band4Band, which peaked at number three.

Ayra Starr also scooped two awards, making history as the first African woman to win best international act and becoming the first woman to win best African music act in 16 years.

Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel was also recognised with the Mobo impact award.

He was released from jail last year after his murder conviction was overturned and at the weekend was confirmed to be performing at this summers Wireless festival.

"Think about this, got locked up, did 13 years in prison," he said while accepting his accolade.

"Meanwhile Im diagnosed with Graves disease so Im fighting to be free, Im fighting my illness, Im fighting to keep my family together, Im fighting to keep the fans pleased.

"And now Im here, I walked the red carpet at the Mobos. That taught me to believe in three things now more than ever: fate, change and forgiveness."

The ceremony saw performances from Nova Twins, Spice, Krept And Konan and award winners Odeal, Darkoo and Bashy.

Bashy, who returned to music after a 15-year break to focus on his acting career, won best hip-hop act as well as album of the year for Being Poor Is Expensive - an award he said he "wanted and deserved".

"This has been a 20-year plus journey, its been hard work, tenacity, a lot of ups and downs.

"I stood in my truth, stood in my communitys truth and now Im here," he said on stage, making a point to thank the Windrush generation.

"Im just a regular guy from the ends. I was a bus driver, I was a postman, I worked in retail. So if youre out there and youre working a job to fund your passion, dont be ashamed of your job.

"This is an amazing honour, Im humbled."

It was the first awards since Mobos founder Kanya King revealed shed been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.

Labour MP Dawn Butler became emotional as she announced Kanya would receive a surprise award, paving the way, which was also won by athlete and broadcaster Denise Lewis.

Kanya came on stage to a standing ovation from the crowd, saying she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude "because there was a time I thought I wouldnt make it".

"Next year marks our 30th anniversary and I very much intend to be there."

The winners in full:

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