British rapper wins top Mobo Award with first album in 15 years

This year’s Mobo (music of Black origin) Awards saw huge wins for the likes of Central Cee and Darkoo as well as the return of rapper Bashy after 15 years. The 2025 ceremony took place on Tuesday, February 18 in Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, hosted by former Love Island star Indiyah Polack. Bashy, real name Ashley Thomas, opened the awards with a performance of his song How Black Men Lose Their Smile.

It’s been 15 years since the Londoner last released a full studio album but Being Poor Is Expensive was clearly worth the wait as it landed Album of the Year. The comeback beat Ghetts’ On Purpose, With Purpose and Jorja Smith’s Falling Or Flying and joins previous winners such as Dave, Little Simz, and Stormzy. The Brotherhood actor, 40, was also nominated for best male act and best hip hop act, winning the latter.

‘I stood in my truth, in my community’s truth, and now man’s here,’ he said as he accepted the award. Bashy added: ‘I’m a regular guy from the ends. I was a bus driver, I was a postman, I worked in retail. ‘lf you’re out there and seeing this and working a job to fund your passions, don’t be ashamed of your job, it’s okay to work.’. Best male act instead went to Central Cee, 26, making it a record-breaking third win (and two in a row) for the Day in the Life rapper.

He is now tied with Stormzy as the most decorated rappers in Mobo history as he eyes up multiple nominations for the Brit Awards next month. Another huge winner for the night was Ayra Starr with two wins; best international act and best African music act. In the international category, she defeated music titans Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, who were hot off multiple Grammy wins. Ayra is the first female artist to win best African music act in 16 years and only the second in the award show’s almost 30-year history, following Nneka in 2009.

‘This is my first Mobos and the first time I’m winning a Mobo Award,’ the Nigerian singer told the crowd as she collected her award. As she thanked her supporters, she added: ‘I’m actually shaking right now, I’m very nervous.’. Arya and Bashy weren’t the only ones to walk away with multiple awards as Darkoo secured both female act and song of the year. The Gangsta rapper was awarded for her hit song Favourite Girl featuring Dess Dior, which peaked at number two on the Afrobeats chart last summer.

Darkoo joined Bashy and artists like Krept & Konan, Spice, and Nova Twins in performing for those lucky enough to be at the ceremony. Other popular artists like Mnelia, Scorcher, Juls, and ALT BLK ERA took home various wins including video of the year, grime, and alternative. Mercury Prize darlings Ezra Collective continued their awards domination and won jazz, meanwhile, Odeal took home best newcomer.

The Blame You singer also secured a win for best R&B, beating fellow nominees like Flo, Jorja Smith, and Cleo Sol. Special honour, the paving the way award went to Dame Denise Lewis who said it ‘hits deep’ despite winning ‘many awards’ before. The Olympic gold medallist said: ‘Mobo’s was just a baby when I was competing, so testament to (Mobo’s founder) Kanya King and her legacy.’. Kanya revealed last year she had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, saying it was something she ‘never saw coming’.

On Instagram she wrote: ‘It’s a club I never wanted to join, and yet here I am, still processing this unexpected reality.’. When the founder took the stage the entire arena gave a standing ovation, with Kanya saying she thought she ‘wouldn’t make it to this stage’. She’s added she’s ‘never allowed someone else to define my limits’ and that the Mobos exist because they ‘never accepted no for an answer.’.

‘Mobos was never just about music…it’s about justice…changing an industry that once refused to see us,’ she said. ‘We’ve broken down barriers, we’ve changed the game.’. All the winners of 2025’s Mobo Awards. Special Honours. Arrow MORE: Sir Brian May feels like ‘a usurper’ singing beloved Queen song without Freddie Mercury. Arrow MORE: Brit Awards confirm Glastonbury favourite to perform at 2025 ceremony.