Bashy wins best album at Mobo Awards after 15-year hiatus as Central Cee makes history – BBC

Bashy wins album of the year after a 15-year hiatus with his 2024 record Being Poor Is Expensive at the Mobo Awards
UK rapper Central Cee made history by becoming the first artist to win best male act three times at the awards show, which are being held in Newcastle
Odeal is also dominating the night, as he's taken home trophies for best newcomer and best R&B/soul act
Darkoo bagged best female act and best song of the year, while the inaugural impact award went to Vybz Kartel
The awards show, which celebrates black music and culture in the UK and beyond, has featured performances from Spice, Krept & Konan and Bashy
Edited by Johanna Chisholm and Rachel Flynn
Rachel Flynn
Live reporter
What a night it's been for the 27th Mobo Awards in Newcastle.
As Mobos founder Kanya King said earlier in an emotional speech, "talent is everywhere, opportunity is not". And the talent showcased tonight has made history.
Thanks for following along with us this evening, we'll be back with the same coverage next year.
And if you're wanting to re-live tonight's excitement… you can! A special BBC Mobos Awards programme will be aired this week on BBC One.
Mobo founder Kanya King said the awards were "never just about music…it's about justice"
That's it for the 2025 Mobo Awards.
It's been a rollercoaster of an evening with some record-breaking achievements. Here's a look back at some of the highlights:
Bashy, the 40-year-old vocalist and actor, was born Ashley Thomas. He has become one of the pioneers of UK rap and has also featured in film and television roles over the last years.
He originally found fame with the song Black Boys, which celebrates successful peers like Dizzee Rascal and Kano.
He released his debut album, Catch Me If You Can, in 2009 but it took him until 2024 to release his follow-up album Being Poor Is Expensive.
In between, he has had a successful acting career, with roles in TV shows such as Top Boy, Them, The Ipcress Files, and 24: Legacy, and films such as Brotherhood and the Oscar-winning short Skin.
This year's album of the year award has been given to…Bashy, for his record Being Poor Is Expensive.
"This has been a 20+ year journey, he tells the crowd upon accepting the award.
"It's been hard work, tenacity, a lot of ups and downs, dedication, but this is God's timing," Bashy says.
"If you're seeing this whether you're on year one or 20…don't give up, keep going," he adds.
"I wanted this one," he says about album of the year. "I deserved it".
He thanks his family, team and collaborators, as well as the Windrush generation – which receives a big woop from the audience.
"We did this independently, we backed ourselves, believed in ourselves, and now here we are," he says.
In the running tonight we have:
Darkoo performed earlier tonight before taking home her two awards
The song of the year award goes to…Favourite Girl by Darkoo Feat Dess Dior.
"I'm so confused. I didn't plan this one," Darkoo says.
"Thank you, that's all I can say. Big up the UK, big up Nigeria. Thank you so much," she adds.
Let's take a look at the nominees:
It could be two in a row for rapper Central Cee, who took home this trophy last year for Sprinter – his song with Dave.
Sharuna Sagar
BBC Look North's arts reporter
Victor Ray said it's "incredible" to be able to go to the Mobos in his hometown
For young black artists in the North East, the Mobo Awards in Newcastle is more than a moment—it’s a milestone.
Many of them grew up watching the UK’s most prestigious celebration of black music played out a world away.
Never in their wildest dreams did they think the iconic brand would one day come to their home city and put their grassroots music scene in the spotlight.
But that day has finally come.
The region’s black music landscape may be thriving but it is still underground, independent and overshadowed by its longstanding reputation for white rock and guitar bands.
Now, with Mobo magic in the air, it’s a chance to rewrite that narrative.
From grime to gospel, afrobeat to R&B, drill to jazz, the hope is that local talent can make the most of this wave of interest, build on that momentum and create a lasting legacy in the city and beyond.
Another special honours award is the impact award…which goes to…Vybz Kartel.
The dancehall star was born and raised in Jamaica and burst onto the scene with his debut album Up 2 Di Time.
He’s collaborated with Major Lazer, Missy Elliot and Rihanna and his most recent project Party With Me secured a Grammy nomination for best reggae album.
Accepting the award alongside his son, the "king of Dancehall" reflects on his journey here – including making and releasing a Grammy-nominated album while in prison.
"That taught me to believe in three things now more than ever… faith, change and forgiveness," he tells the Mobos crowd.
If you're just joining us, where have you been?
The main headline tonight is Central Cee's record breaking third award for best male act. He's also matched Stormzy's record for the Mobos most decorated rapper with seven trophies each.
And Cench isn't the only one making history. Arya Starr became the first African woman to win best international act as well as the first woman to be recognised as best African music act in 16 years.
We saw Darkoo scoop best female act, beating off competition from big names including Jorja Smith and last year's winner Raye.
Odeal told us his first award would not be his last when he accepted the award for best R&B/ soul act but he maybe didn't expect to be proven right so soon as he was back on stage to collect his trophy for best newcomer.
Bashy opened the show with a performance of How Black Men Lose Their Smile, returning to the stage just now after winning best hip-hop act. He's also up for album of the year which we're expecting to be announced soon, so watch this space.
..Bashy.
"I stood in my truth, in my community's truth, and now man's here," he says as he accepts the award.
"I'm a regular guy from the ends. I was a bus driver, I was a postman, I worked in retail," he adds.
"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."
Bashy goes on to say that the award is "an amazing honour", and thanks his family, friends, partner and team. He says he pushed through his fear of making music.
We're back to the more traditional awards categories, and we're about to learn who will take home the best hip-hop act of the year. The nominations for this year are:
Dawn Butler has just given an emotional introduction to Kanya King, explaining how the Mobos founder has been diagnosed with stage four terminal cancer and was told by doctors she wouldn't live to see this year's awards show.
The entire arena gives King a standing ovation as she walks onto the stage.
"There was a time, I thought I wouldn't make it to this stage," she tells the crowd, adding that she's "never allowed someone else to define my limits".
She says Mobos is here 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 says.
"We've broken down barriers, we've changed the game," she adds.
On the awards being held in Newcastle, she says: "Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not."
King ends her speech by saying next year will be the Mobos 30th anniversary, adding "and I intend to be there".
It's now time for the special honours awards – and the paving the way award has just been given to…Denise Lewis DBE.
"I've won many awards in my time but this one hits deep," says the Olympic gold medallist as she accepts the award.
"Mobo's was just a baby when I was competing, so testament to (Mobo's founder) Kanya King and her legacy," she adds.
Lewis says you've got to "build resilience" which has to "keep you marching on when people tell you that you can't".
Now the president of UK Athletics, Lewis says: "I've understood my assignment and I'd like to think I've done it with dignity and pride"
"You've got to go get it yourself, pave that road, and shine a light for those that are following you."
This year's video of the year award goes to…Mnelia, for the videoMy Man (directed by Femi Bello).
Accepting the award, Femi Bello thanks her mum, saying "because of your resilience, I had no choice but to be a limitless black girl".
Mnelia thanks her parents for "being an amazing example of black love".
"Mummy's a Mobo winner," she shouts to the crowd.
We're now onto the best video of the year award. The nominations for this category are:
We'll bring you the winner in just a minute.
Mark Savage
BBC Music correspondent
Ghetts performing on the Park Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2024
A former Mercury Prize nominee, Ghetts’ On Purpose, With Purpose sees one of the originators of grime approaching his 40s. “I used to worry about arrests, but not a cardiac,” he raps on the opening track, Intro.
Grime MC Skrapz strikes a similar chord on his debut, Reflection, which finds him grappling with maturity – both as an artist, and as a man. Showcasing his laid-back, relaxed flow, it features an array of special guests, including Nines, D-Block Europe and Potter Payper.
Finally, we have Sampha, a former Mercury Prize winner, who muses about fatherhood on Lahai – an album inspired by his young daughter. Mixing piano balladry with experimental electronic techniques, the Guardian called the record “poised and luxurious”, while The Line Of Best Fit simply declared it "phenomenal”.
Mark Savage
BBC Music correspondent
Jorja Smith performing on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2019
As the ceremony is now well under way, here's a look at the six nominees for best album, who showcase how vital and exciting the UK’s music scene can be.
Cleo Sol’s Gold is a lush, absorbing soul record where sparse acoustic arrangements perfectly frame the singer’s stunning vocals. If you love Stevie Wonder, this one’s for you.
Bashy’s Being Poor Is Expensive is more forthright, but no less compelling. The rapper-turned-actor’s second album addresses his childhood in Brent, his West Indian heritage and the vagaries of his career. In his own words, it’s “sharp as nails”.
Jorja Smith is also nominated for her second album, Falling Or Flying, which exhibits a blatant disregard of genre or convention – switching gleefully between jazz, soul, gospel, 2-step and funky house. Flush with delicate harmonies and aching melodies, Billboard called it the sound of Smith “stepping into womanhood".
It's been a big year for these ten acts, but tonight's award for best newcomer goes to Odeal.
He only moments ago teased that he'd be back up on the stage tonight when he took home best R&B/soul act.
"Another one, this is insane," he tells the crowd.
"I'm so humbled…years ago watching these shows thinking… one day. And to win two awards is absolutely insane," he says.
Here were the other nominees in the newcomer category:
Alt Blk Era came on stage to their breakout song, Drummer's Girlfriend.
"Thank you so much," says the elder of the sister duo, Nyrobi.
"We are so, so honoured to receive this award and be able to stand on this stage – with my little sister it really does mean the world.
"Alt Blk Era is so much bigger than me and Cheya."
They thanked their mum who they said believed in them from when they were just teenagers – and a special mention for Mobos founder Kanya King.
Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

source