In a triumphant moment at the 30th anniversary Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, dancehall icon Vybz Kartel secured victory in the fiercely competitive Best Caribbean Music Act category. The prestigious ceremony, held at Manchester’s state-of-the-art Co-op Live Arena on Thursday, celebrated three decades of recognizing Black musical excellence since its establishment by founder Kanya King.
The Jamaican superstar prevailed against an impressive field of nominees including Masicka, Shenseea, Lila Ike, Ayetian, and Trinidad’s Yung Bredda. This category specifically honors Caribbean musical talent making significant impact within the United Kingdom’s vibrant music scene.
While Kartel’s Caribbean dominance was unquestionable, the international category saw Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr claiming victory over the dancehall veteran. This recognition continues Kartel’s notable relationship with the MOBO organization, having received the MOBO Impact Award just last year. Historically, the artist accumulated three previous nominations in what was formerly designated the Best Reggae Act category before its rebranding to better represent the broader Caribbean music landscape.
The evening’s biggest winner emerged as Olivia Dean, the Grammy-winning Best New Artist, who astonishingly collected three awards during the ceremony, underscoring the event’s diverse celebration of Black musical excellence across multiple genres and regions.