Newcastle has been chosen as the host city for the MOBO Awards in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the city.
Since their inception in 1996, the MOBO Awards have celebrated black musicians, honoring notable artists such as Little Simz, Stormzy, and Beyoncé. The 2025 awards ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Utilita Arena on February 18.
In addition to the main event, organizers will collaborate with Newcastle City Council and local community members to run the MOBO Fringe Festival, featuring a series of activities and events that celebrate black music and culture.
Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of MOBO Group, expressed enthusiasm about the selection, stating, “Newcastle is a city steeped in history, culture, and a dynamic sense of community alongside an electric nightlife, making it the perfect host city.”
Last year’s awards were held in Sheffield, where artists such as Potter Payper, Central Cee, and Raye took home the top honors.
At the announcement event held at the Civic Centre, Newcastle rapper Kay Greyson performed and emphasized the significance of the awards for the local community. “Newcastle’s often been a place where we’ve felt we’re too far north, we’ve been underrepresented,” she said. “This is going to prove, not just to the people who are here, but more importantly to the young people who are sitting there, just like I was, dreaming of the MOBOs. This is going to prove to them that it’s much closer than they think.”
Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, highlighted the awards’ potential impact, stating that they would have a “huge economic impact on our cultural sector.” She added, “But the lasting impact, we hope, will be on our community.”
