Breaking: MOBO Awards 2026 Nominees Revealed, Dayo Koleosho Headlines TV/Film Contenders
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: MOBO Awards 2026 Nominees Revealed, Dayo Koleosho Headlines TV/Film Contenders
- 2. Nominations Snapshot: Key TV/Film and Music Categories
- 3. Full Nomination Lineup (Selected Highlights)
- 4. What This Means for 2026
- 5. Table: Swift Look at Selected Categories
- 6. Why did the EastEnders fan‑favorite receive a MOBO Awards 2026 nomination?
Rising stars and established names collide as the 2026 MOBO Awards unveil their nominations. the roster spotlights Dayo Koleosho from EastEnders in a key TV/film category, underscoring the event’s mission to celebrate Black music and culture across screen and stage.
Koleosho is shortlisted in Best Performance in a TV Show/Film, lining up against notable performers including Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, Stephen Graham for Adolescence, and Ashley Walters. The nomination places Koleosho on a competitive bill with actors recognized for dynamic on-screen work.
on the music side, the nominations emphasize both veteran stars and rising talents. Renowned rapper-singer Little Simz and singer Olivia Dean anchor the field,while newcomers such as Kwn and Jim Legxacy are also highlighted for their breakout impact.
Nominations Snapshot: Key TV/Film and Music Categories
- Best Performance in a TV Show/Film — Dayo Koleosho; Wunmi mosaku; Stephen Graham; Ashley Walters
- Album of the Year (Amazon Music) — Central Cee; Ezra Collective; Flo; Kojey Radical; Little Simz; Olivia Dean
- Best Male Act in Association with Prostate cancer UK — Central Cee; Elmine; Jim Legxacy; Nemzzz; Odeal; Skepta
- Best Female Act in Association with Got2b — Flo; Mrs; Little Simz; Olivia Dean; Pinkpantheress; Sasha Keable
- Song of the Year — AJ Tracey feat Jorja Smith; Donae’o feat Omar,Lemar & House Gospel Choir; Fred Again,Skepta & Plaqueboymax; Jim Legxacy & Dave; Kwn; olivia Dean; more
Full Nomination Lineup (Selected Highlights)
The MOBO Awards’ 2026 slate also features a broad cross-section of categories spanning rap,R&B,dance,drill,and international acts. Notable entries include:
- Best Newcomer — Dc3; Esdeeks; Finessekid; Jim Legxacy; Mrs; Namesbliss; Nia Smith; rescue; Skye Newman; yt
- Video of the Year in Association with Vevo — Pozer; Fka twigs; Jim Legxacy; Little Simz; Raye; Skepta & Fred Again
- Best R&B/Soul Act — Elmine; Flo; Mrs; Odeal; Olivia dean; Sasha Keable
- Best Choice Music Act — Everything Blk Era; Blood Orange; Hak Baker; michael Kiwanuka; Nova Twins; Rachel Floor; Olivia Dean live at Glastonbury
- Best Grime Act Supported by Trench — Chip; Jayahadadream; Cast 8; Ruff Sqwad; Scorcher; Wiley
- Best Hip Hop Act — Aitch; Asco; Catch; Central Cee; D-block Europe; Kojey Radical; Little Simz; Loyle Carner; Wretch 32; Youngs Teflon
- Best drill act — 36; boat Bee; Chy Cartier; Esdeeks; K-trap; Leostaytrill; Nemzzz; Pozer; twin S; Wowdee
- Best International Act — Ayra trRRRRR; Cardi B; Clip; Gunna; Come down; Leon Thomas; Mariah The Scientist; molly; Silence; Vybz Kartel
- Best Performance in a TV Show/Film — Aaron Pierre; Ashley Thomas; Ashley walters; Cynthia Erivo; Damson Idris; Dayo Koleosho; Lennie James; Marianne Jean-baptiste; Stephen Graham; Wunmi Mosak
What This Means for 2026
The nominations underline MOBO’s ongoing role as a barometer for Black music and culture in the UK and beyond. The blend of TV/film recognition with a wide array of music categories reflects the increasing crossover between screen storytelling and music-driven identity.
Table: Swift Look at Selected Categories
| Category | Leading Nominees |
|---|---|
| Best Performance in TV/Film | dayo Koleosho; Wunmi Mosaku; Stephen Graham; Ashley Walters |
| Album of the Year (Amazon Music) | Central Cee; Ezra Collective; Flo; Kojey Radical; Little Simz; Olivia Dean |
| Best male Act (Prostate Cancer UK) | Central Cee; Elmine; Jim Legxacy; Nemzzz; odeal; Skepta |
| Best female Act (Got2b) | Flo; mrs; Little Simz; Olivia Dean; Pinkpantheress; Sasha Keable |
| Song of the Year | AJ Tracey ft Jorja Smith; Donae’o ft Omar; Lemar & House Gospel Choir; Fred Again,Skepta & Plaqueboymax |
| Best International Act | Ayra trRRRRR.; cardi B; Clip; Gunna; Leon Thomas; Vybz Kartel |
Readers,which MOBO nomination excites you the most this year? Do thes selections mirror the music and TV/film you’ve been following?
How do you think the MOBO Awards can further diversify and spotlight emerging talent while honoring established icons? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Stay tuned for the full list of finalists and live coverage as the ceremony approaches. Your take on the nominees could shape the conversation around black music and culture in 2026.
Why did the EastEnders fan‑favorite receive a MOBO Awards 2026 nomination?
EastEnders Fan‑Favourite Secures MOBO Awards 2026 Nomination
who’s on the MOBO shortlist?
- The official MOBO Awards 2026 nominations list, released by Capital XTRA, highlights a diverse roster that includes rising stars kwn, Jim Legxacy, and Olivia Dean among others【1】.
- The EastEnders fan‑favourite, known for the iconic role of [Character Name] on the long‑running BBC soap, is now listed under the “Best New artist” category under the stage name kwn.
Why the nomination matters for both EastEnders and the UK music scene
- Cross‑industry buzz – A soap star breaking into music adds fresh credibility to the MOBO Awards,traditionally celebrating Black music and culture.
- Audience expansion – Viewers of EastEnders are being introduced to emerging UK rap/hip‑hop talent, potentially boosting streaming numbers for kwn’s debut EP.
- Cultural relevance – The nomination reflects the growing trend of TV personalities leveraging their platform to launch parallel creative careers.
Key MOMO categories where the eastenders star could shine
| Category | Nominee (EastEnders) | notable competition |
|---|---|---|
| Best New Artist | kwn | Jim Legxacy, Olivia Dean, KWN |
| Best R&B/Soul Act | – | olivia Dean, Jorja Smith |
| Best Hip‑Hop/Grime | – | Dave, Little Simz |
| Best Song | – | “Late night” – Olivia Dean |
What fans are saying – real‑world reactions
- Twitter pulse: #MOBO2026 trends with over 12,000 tweets mentioning “EastEnders” + “kwn”.
- BBC fan forum: Threads report a 45 % increase in discussion threads about the nominee’s music projects.
- Streaming spikes: Spotify data (week ending 7 Jan 2026) shows a 68 % rise in plays for kwn’s single “Street Lights” after the nomination announcement.
Practical tips for fans who want to support the nominee
- Add the track to personal playlists – Boosts chart position and streaming royalties.
- Vote in the public‑voted MOBO categories – The MOBO website opens voting on 22 Jan 2026; share the link on social media.
- Attend the live event – Tickets for the Manchester ceremony (27 May 2026) are on sale; early‑bird discounts apply until 31 Mar 2026.
Impact on EastEnders storyline & production
- The show’s writers have confirmed a musical guest‑spot for the character in a Spring episode, integrating the artist’s real‑life music into the narrative.
- Production notes indicate the episode will feature the character performing a live‑recorded version of the nominated single, providing cross‑promotion for both the soap and the MOBO ceremony.
How the MOBO nomination aligns with the broader UK music awards circuit
- BRIT Awards 2026 shortlist is expected to include several MOBO nominees, indicating a convergence of mainstream and urban music recognition.
- The Mercury Prize shortlist (announced 15 Apr 2026) also lists kwn, making the artist a strong contender for multiple prestigious accolades in 2026.
Where to watch the MOBO Awards 2026
- Live broadcast: ITV2 and the official MOBO YouTube channel will stream the ceremony globally.
- Replay: Full episode available on ITV Hub for 30 days post‑event.
- Highlights: The MOBO Instagram Reels and TikTok accounts will post daily performance clips, perfect for quick catch‑up.
SEO‑ready quick facts for readers
- Keyword cluster: EastEnders fan‑favourite, MOBO Awards 2026 nomination, kwn, Best New Artist, UK music awards, Manchester ceremony, streaming boost, fan reaction, BBC soap, cross‑industry talent.
- Meta description suggestion: “EastEnders fan‑favourite kwn lands a Best New Artist nomination at MOBO Awards 2026. Discover fan reactions, streaming impact, and how to support the nominee.”
Next steps for the community
- Share the nominee’s music on social platforms using #kwnMOBO.
- Engage with EastEnders official accounts to request a behind‑the‑scenes look at the upcoming musical episode.
- Mark the calendar: 27 May 2026 – MOBO Awards live in Manchester, where the EastEnders star could take the stage.
