Ayra Starr has made history as the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards.
The Nigerian star also took home the Best International Music Act award at the ceremony held in Newcastle.
Ayra Starr (2025) joins Wizkid (2017, 2021) and Burna Boy (2020, 2022) as the only Nigerian artists to have won the MOBO Award for Best International Act.
The event, hosted by Indiyah Polack and Eddie Kadi, celebrated the best of Black music and culture..
A post on the official MOBO X account read: ‘Global star, unstoppable force! 🌍✨ @ayrastarr took home Best African Music Act at the #MOBOAwards – repping African music at the highest level! 🔥🏆’
In her acceptance speech, the visibly emotional singer said: “Okay, this is my first MOBO. And this is the first time I’m winning a MOBO Award—make some noise! I am actually shaking right now. I am actually nervous.
‘Thank you so much to everybody who supported me. Thank you to my team—my amazing MOB-STARS.
‘My amazing brothers who make music with me—the producers in the studio—my studio partners in crime; my label—MAVINS record, Embryo, my mummy…
Other Big Winners
According to PUNCH Online, other notable winners at the 2025 MOBO Awards included Bashy, Darkoo, and Odeal.
Darkoo also secured the Best Female Act award.
The MOBO Awards continue to serve as a platform for recognising Black music and culture, both in the UK and globally. As the organization approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, its impact remains as powerful as ever.
Founder Kanya King, who recently revealed her battle with stage four cancer, reaffirmed her dedication to leading the MOBOs into a new era of influence and innovation, The Guardian reports on Tuesday.
Full List of Winners – MOBO Awards 2025
Best Male Act: Central Cee
Best Female Act: Darkoo
Best Newcomer: Odeal
Album of the Year: Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
Song of the Year: Darkoo – Favourite Girl (ft. Dess Dior)
Video of the Year: Mnelia – My Man (directed by Femi Bello)
Best Hip-Hop Act: Bashy
Best Grime Act: Scorcher
Best Drill Act: Pozer
Best R&B/Soul Act: Odeal
Best Media Personality: 90s Baby Show
Best African Music Act: Ayra Starr
Best Performance in a TV Show/Film: Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With the Vampire
Best Electronic/Dance Music Act: TSHA
Best Gospel Act: Annatoria
Best Jazz Act: Ezra Collective
Best Producer: Juls
Best Caribbean Music Act: Shenseea
Best Alternative Music Act: ALT BLK ERA
Best International Act: Ayra Starr
MOBO Paving the Way Award: Denise Lewis
MOBO Impact Award: Vybz Kartel
