Dancehall artists Vybz Kartel and Shenseea are the shining stars of the 2025 staging of the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards. Vybz Kartel took home the Impact Award, and Shenseea won the Best Caribbean Music Act Award.
The award ceremony was held on February 18 at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, United Kingdom. Before the award ceremony, Vybz Kartel was seen posing on the red carpet with his fiancée, Sidem Öztürk, and Queen of Dancehall Spice. His son, Likkle Vybz, was also at the ceremony and joined them on stage when Spice presented the honorary award to Vybz Kartel.
Vybz Kartel excitedly accepted his award and gave a speech that reflected on his journey, which included a recent Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album for his Party With Me album. Additionally, attendees were treated to solo performances from Vybz Kartel and Spice.
Notably, Vybz Kartel was nominated for Best Reggae Act in 2004. However, his homophobic lyrics sparked controversy, and he was withdrawn from the category. In 2022, the Best Reggae Act was renamed Best Caribbean Music Act.
Dancehall sensation Shenseea won the Best Caribbean Music Act, marking her second MOBO award. The nominees in the category included Spice, Popcaan, Valiant, Skillibeng, and YG Marley.
Shenseea won the Best Reggae Act award at the 2021 staging of the MOBO Awards. The Best Reggae Act category was introduced in 1996 and Shenseea’s 2021 historical win made her the very first woman to win in the category.
The MOBO Awards is an annual celebration of Black music and culture. The award ceremony, founded by Kanya King and Andy Ruffell in 1996, honours accomplishments in genres like reggae, gospel, jazz, UK Drill, hip-hop, soul, R&B, and African music.