UK’s most prestigious celebration of Black music and culture, the MOBO Awards, has announced their 2021 nominees, ahead of the Awards’ return as a live show on Sunday, 5th December, 2021 at Coventry Building Society Arena. Ghanaian artist, King Promise, has earned a nomination for the category for the Best African Act at the 2021 MOBO Awards.
The ‘Slow Down’ hitmaker contends with other African artists including Wizkid, Tems, Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwas Savage, Rema, CKay, Ayra Star and UK rap group NSG.
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of MOBO Group noted that the past 20 months have been extremely challenging for artists everywhere, but as always, creatives rise up and adapt, even in a global pandemic.
According to Kanya, this year’s crop of MOBO nominees have not only shown resilience but incredible talent and range.
“We could not be prouder to celebrate their achievements across the 18 categories that span genres, as well as excellence in TV, film and media. Congratulations and best of luck to all of our nominees. Here’s to a big night on 5th December in Coventry”.
Kanya King
Brit artist, Dave, leads the 2021 MOBO Awards nominations. The 23-year-old South London MC has picked up a staggering five nominations: Best Male Act, Best Hip Hop Act, Album of The Year for the critically-acclaimed ‘We’re All Alone In This Together’, Song Of The Year – in association with Coventry Building Society for ‘Clash’ featuring Stormzy, and Video Of The Year for his Fredo collaboration ‘Money Talks’.

Little Simz’s ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ also earned her norminations in some categories including, Best Female Act, Best Hip Hop Act, and Video of The Year for ‘Woman’.
Arlo Parks rounds up a year filled with phenomenal success as she scores three MOBO nominations for Best Newcomer – in association with ASOS, Best Female Act, and Album of The Year for her effortlessly breath-taking debut album ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’.
Soul siren Cleo Sol, the vocalist behind ‘SAULT’, is in the running this year for Best R&B/Soul Act, Best Female Act, and Album of The Year.
London rapper Central Cee, whose trajectory to stardom this past year has been near historic, makes a strong MOBO debut with four nominations: Best Male Act, Song Of The Year – in association with Coventry Building Society for ‘Commitment Issues’, Best Newcomer – in association with ASOS and Best Drill Act – in association with Trench.

Meanwhile imperial Grime veteran, Ghetts, who made a momentous comeback with his timely and incisive body of work ‘Conflict Of Interest’, earned three nominations for Best Male Act, Best Grime Act, and Album Of The Year.
This year marks the arrival of the inaugural award for Best Drill Act – in association with Trench. It recognizes the cultural and urgent force that the genre has become over the last few years.
The crop of MCs who make up the first-ever round of nominees in this category include ‘King Of Drill’ Headie One, who is also one of this year’s most nominated, in addition to Tion Wayne, Unknown T, Digga D, M1llionz and more.
Coventry rapper, Pa Salieu earns two MOBO nominations in the year the Awards is hosted in his home city. The hotly-tipped rising star is up for Song of The Year – in association with Coventry Building Society and Video of The Year for ‘My Family’ featuring BackRoad Gee.
Read also: Driver Unions Call off Intended strike over fuel prices