MOBO Awards announce 2022 nominees, with new Electronic/Dance category

This year’s MOBO Awards will feature the debut of a new award category, recognising artists from the world of electronic music.

Following years of lobbying for the awards show to recognise the talent of Black artists from outside pop music, R&B and hip-hop, the introduction of the Best Electronic/Dance Act, in partnership with Mixmag, will coincide with the MOBOs’ 25th anniversary edition.

The nominees for the first ever award are Anz, Eliza Rose, FKA twigs, Jax Jones, Nia Archives and SHERELLE.

This year’s show, which takes place at OVO Arena Wembley in London on 30th November, will also recognise artists of Black origin within the alternative music scene, with nods in that category for the likes of Nova Twins and Skunk Anansie.

Founded in 1996, the MOBO Awards is a celebration of music and artists of Black origin. Other existing genre categories cover gospel, jazz and reggae.

London rapper and producer, Knucks leads the way for this year’s nominees, with nods for Album of the Year, Best Male Act, Best Hip Hop Act, and two Video of The Year nominations.

After taking home the award for Best Female Act last year, Little Simz has picked up four nomination this year, for Album of the Year, Best Female Act, Best Hip Hop Act and Video of the Year. Central Cee also has four nominations for Best Male Act, Best Drill Act, Song of the Year and Video of the Year.

In a statement, MOBO founder Kanya King said:”Today’s announcement truly shows what a bumper year it has been for the scene. It’s a proud moment to see MOBO once again recognise and honour the luminaries and tip the stars of the future. This is what it means when we say ‘honouring the past inspiring the future’.

“We are proud to announce the addition of two new categories to recognise the breadth of Black culture’s impact on a variety of music genres and welcome more rising stars ahead of what will be a truly unmissable celebration of our 25 years.”

As well as figuring in the nominees for the MOBO’s first Best Electronic/Dance Act, Nia Archives became the first electronic music act to be named BBC Introducing Artist of the Year earlier this week.

Revisit MOBO nominee SHERELLE’s DJ Mag cover, from 2020, here.