Olivia Dean’s streak continues as she wins big at Mobo Awards

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Naomi ClarkeBBC Newsbeat

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Olivia Dean said she feels “so proud to be a black British female artist” as she collected her best female act award

Olivia Dean cemented her position as one of the most exciting artists in the UK as she took home three Mobo Awards when the ceremony came to Manchester for the first time.

The pop star won the coveted album of the year prize for her soulful second record, The Art of Loving, seeing off tough competition from rapper Little Simz’s Lotus and Central Cee’s long-awaited Can’t Rush Greatness.

As she collected the prize, Dean dedicated the award to author Bell Hooks and “all the black feminists that inspire me to love better and love the people in my life”.

The 27-year-old Londoner also secured the best female act award and her chart-topping hit, Man I Need, secured the song of the year prize.

The singer said she felt “so proud to be a black British female artist” as she picked up the best female act award.

Her Mobo success comes after she won four Brits and a Grammy Award earlier this year.

She also performed a hauntingly beautiful rendition of her soul pop track A Couple Minutes as the award show, which celebrates black talent across the entertainment industry, marked its 30th anniversary.

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Slick Rick performed a host of songs from his back catalogue alongside Estelle

The night also saw New York-raised hip-hop veteran Slick Rick, who performed a career-spanning set with singer Estelle, honoured with a lifetime achievement prize.

“There were moments people didn’t understand… every step, story and silence in-between brought me to this moment,” the Surrey-born rapper said while accepting the award.

Grammy-winner Pharrell Williams, who has worked with Jay Z, Mariah Carey, Kendrick Lamar and Madonna, received the global songwriter award.

Nile Rodgers said it was the “greatest honour” to present Williams with the award, saying the artist had “changed my life”.

Williams returned the praise, and also paid tribute to Mobos founder Kanya King, referencing her battle against cancer and how she has never stopped working.

“When you love what you get to do, you’re never working, you’re just having the time of your life,” he said.

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Pharrell Williams shared a sweet moment with Nile Rodgers while collecting his award

Elsewhere, rapper Jim Legxacy collected best male act, but was beaten to the best newcomer award by emerging teenage rapper DC3.

It was a big night for the Northampton-born artist, who teared up as he accepted the award and said “Jesus Christ is real”, before he went on to also win best gospel act.

Raye’s theatrical video to her hit, Where Is My Husband!, which featured shots of the singer performing with a live band and chasing a mystery man through an old-fashioned home, scooped the video of the year gong.

The award comes just hours before her second album, The Music May Contain Hope, hits streaming services.

Rapper Central Cee, who made Mobos history last year by becoming the first artist to be named best male act three times, added another trophy to his collection as he took home best hip hop act.

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R&B trio Flo were joyous as they collected the prize for their genre

Nigerian singer Ayra Starr defended her best international act title after becoming the first African woman to win the award last year.

However, she lost her best African music gong to fellow Nigerian singer Wizkid.

Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel won the best Caribbean music act prize after being freed from prison nearly two years ago when judges decided he should not face a retrial for murder.

Girl group Flo declared “R&B is back” as they collected the award for the genre, while Nova Twins praised the Mobos for recognising how the origins of rock music stem from black music as they picked up their best alternative act trophy.

The ceremony also celebrates talent outside of the world of music, with actor Stephen Graham continuing his success with Netflix sensation Adolescence, which won him the best performance in a TV show/film award.

YouTuber Niko Omilana, known for his pranks and efforts to stand in local elections, secured the best media personality prize.

2026 Mobo Awards: Winners in full

Best male act - **Jim Legxacy **

Best female act - Olivia Dean

Album of the year - Olivia Dean for The Art Of Loving

Song of the year - Olivia Dean for Man I Need

Video of the year - **Raye for Where Is My Husband! **

Best newcomer - DC3

Best hip hop act - Central Cee

Best grime act - Chip

Best drill act - **Twin S **

Best R&B/Soul act - Flo

Best electronic act - Sherelle

Best gospel act - DC3

Best jazz act - Ezra Collective

Best producer - P2J

Best African music act - **Wizkid **

Best Caribbean music act -** Vybz Kartel**

Best alternative music act - Nova Twins

Best international act - Ayra Starr

Best media personality - Niko Omilana

Best performance in a TV show/ film - Stephen Graham for Adolescence

Lifetime achievement - Slick Rick

Global songwriter award - **Pharrell Williams **

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