Burna Boy bags two awards at 2022 MOBOs

Now in its 25th edition, the scheme honours outstanding artists in the UK’s Black music landscape, across hip hop, grime, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel and African music.

Burna Boy edged fellow Nigerians Tems, Adekunle Gold, Fireboy DML, Omah Lay, Oxlade, Pheelz and Rema, as well as South Africa’s Kabza De Small to win the Best African Act award.

He also saw off competition from Beyonce, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, Jack Harlow, Jazmine Sullivan, Skillibeng, Summer Walker and Tems to win the prestigious Best International Act award.

This is the second time Burna Boy is sweeping both awards after his triumph in 2020. 

“Thank you so much MOBO Awards,” Burna Boy, who could not attend the event as he is on tour, posted on social media. “Thank you to all my fans and those that voted.”

MOBO founder Kanya King said: “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.”

Meanwhile, Little Simz and Knucks were jointly awarded the Album of the year prize for their LPs Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and Alpha Place, respectively.

Below is the full list of winners:

Best Male Act

• Central Cee
• Dave
• D-Block Europe
• Digga D
• Knucks
• Tion Wayne

Best Female Act

• Little Simz
• Mahalia
• Miraa May
• Ms Banks
• Pinkpantheress
• Tiana Major9

Album of the Year

• Aitch – Close To Home
• Knucks – Alpha Place
• Kojey Radical – Reason To Smile
• Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
• M Huncho – Chasing Euphoria
• Miraa May – Tales of A Miracle

Song of the Year

• Aitch Feat. Ashanti – 'Baby'
• Central Cee – 'doja'
• Dave – 'Starlight'
• Digga D & Stillbrickin – Pump 101'
• Dreya Mac, Felixthe1st & Finch Fetti – 'Own Brand (Baddie)'
• Potter Payper Feat. Tiggs Da Author – 'Gangsteritus'

Best Newcomer

• Amaria Bb
• Bru-C
• Cat Burns
• Clavish
• Cristale
• Flo
• Jbee
• Nemzzz
• Nia Archives
• Switchotr

Video of the Year

• Central Cee – 'doja'
• Headie One, Abra Cadabra & Bandokay – 'Can’t Be Us'
• Knucks – 'Alpha House/Hide & Seek'
• Kojey Radical Feat. Knucks – 'Payback'
• Little Simz Feat. Obongjayar – 'Point And Kill'
• Mahalia – 'Whatever Simon Says'

Best R&B/Soul Act

• Ella Mai
• Mahalia
• Miraa May
• Nao
• Shakka
• Tiana Major9

Best Grime Act

• Blay Vision
• D Double E
• Frisco
• Kamakaze
• Manga Saint Hilare
• Novelist

Best Hip Hop Act

• D-Block Europe
• Knucks
• Kojey Radical
• Little Simz
• Potter Payper
• Youngs Teflon

Best Drill Act

• Central Cee
• Digga D
• Headie One
• Ivorian Doll
• K-Trap
• Kwengface
• M24
• Russ Millions
• Unknown T
• V9

Best International Act

• Beyoncé
• Burna Boy
• Chris Brown
• Drake
• Jack Harlow
• Jazmine Sullivan
• Kendrick Lamar
• Skillibeng
• Summer Walker
• Tems

Best Performance in a TV Show/Film

• Damson Idris as Franklin Saint – Snowfall
• Daniel Kaluuya as Otis “Oj” Haywood Jr. – Nope
• Jasmine Jobson as Jaq – Top Boy
• Kane Robinson (Kano) as Sully – Top Boy
• Lashana Lynch as Nomi – No Time To Die
• Samuel Adewunmi as Hero – You Don’t Know Me

Best Media Personality

• Big Zuu
• Chuckie Online
• Chunkz
• Harry Pinero
• KSI
• Mo Gilligan
• Munya Chawawa
• Nella Rose
• Yung Filly
• Zeze Millz

Best Alternative Music Act

• Big Joanie
• Bob Vylan
• Kid Bookie
• Loathe
• Nova Twins
• Skunk Anansie

Best Electronic/Dance Act

• Anz
• Eliza Rose
• FKA Twigs
• Jax Jones
• Nia Archives
• Sherelle

Best African Music Act

• Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
• Asake (Nigeria)
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
• Kabza De Small (South Africa)
• Omah Lay (Nigeria)
• Oxlade (Nigeria)
• Pheelz (Nigeria)
• Rema (Nigeria)
• Tems (Nigeria)

Best Gospel Act

• Asha Elia
• Calledout Music
• Rachel Kerr
• Reblah
• Sarah Teibo
• Still Shadey

Best Jazz Act

• Blue Lab Beats
• Doomcannon
• Ego Ella May
• Ezra Collective
• Jas Kayser
• Kokoroko

Best Caribbean Music Act

• Koffee
• Popcaan
• Sean Paul
• Shenseea
• Skillibeng
• Spice

Best Producer

• Inflo
• Jae5
• Labrinth
• M1onthebeat
• P2J
• TSB

Lifetime Achievement Award

Nile Rodgers