Headlining this year’s edition of the event is afrobeats artist and current MOBO Award nominee, Fireboy. The Nigerian-based singer is expected to help the scheme celebrate 25 years of recognizing and honoring black British music and its growing influence both in the UK and around the world with a memorable performance. He will be joined by Kojey Radical, Tion Wayne, Cat Burns, and FLO.
The announcement comes after the MOBOs announced the full list of nominees and the release of a special one-time compilation titled MOBO UnSung: Class of 2022. The new compilation features music from ten of this year’s MOBO UnSung finalists, including Genesis Elijah, Mace The Great, AE, Crae Wolf, and many more.
Fireboy is up for the “Best African Music Act Supported By Afrozons” honor at this year’s celebration. He will be competing with fellow Nigerian heavyweights Adekunle Gold, Asake, Burna Boy, Omah Lay, Oxlade, Pheelz, Rema, and Tems, as well as South Africa’s Kabza De Small.
Founded in 1996 by Kanya King, the awards platform celebrates black British music and honours musicians across hip hop, grime, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel and African music. This year, the awards have been expended to include two new categories, Best Alternative Act and Best Electronic/Dance Act
In 2021, Wizkid claimed his fourth victory in the Best African Act category after winning it in 2011, 2016 and 2020. The platinum and gold selling Nigeria artiste star beat off competition from fellow Nigerians Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, CKay, Davido, Rema, Tems and Tiwa Savage as well as Ghanaian singer King Promise and UK-based Afro-swing collective NSG Music.