Little Simz and Stormzy have topped the nominations for the 2024 Mobo awards, which celebrate Black music in the UK and beyond. Each of them are up for album of the year with ambitious, heartfelt rap LPs: Stormzy for This Is What I Mean, and Little Simz for her surprise-released No Thank You. Both are nominated in the gendered best artist categories, while Stormzy has a nod for video of the year and Little Simz is one of 10 nominees for best hip-hop act. Pop artist Raye’s career renaissance continues – after she was left in limbo for years by a major label, she released her album My 21st Century Blues independently and to huge success, with the track Escapism reaching No 1. She is also nominated in artist, album and song of the year categories. J Hus (another album of the year nominee), PinkPantheress and Central Cee also get three nominations each. Ezra Collective, the jazz ensemble who won this year’s Mercury prize, could make it a brace with a nomination in the album of the year category. Rounding out the category is Potter Payper, whose album Real Back in Style reached No 2 in the charts while the rapper was jailed at Pentonville prison in London – he has since been released. A vintage year for the song of the year category sees four all-star team-ups – J Hus and Drake, Central Cee and Dave, PinkPantheress and Ice Spice, and Raye and 070 Shake – go up against Stormzy’s Hide & Seek and Jorja Smith’s summer anthem Little Things. Smith is also nominated for best female act alongside Raye, PinkPantheress and Little Simz, plus R&B singer Mahalia and girl group Flo. Central Cee and Dave face off against each other in the best male act category despite releasing a hugely successful collaborative EP together, topped with global hit Sprinter. As well as J Hus and Stormzy, the category is rounded out with rappers Nines – who has hinted at retirement – and D-Block Europe. The award ceremony will take place in Sheffield for the first time. Awards founder Kanya King said: “What makes Sheffield unique is that there is a rich underground scene with talent yet to break through, and with the community outreach the Mobo awards always does, the hope is to engage with and elevate that underground scene.” In addition to the two existing honorary awards, Paving the Way and lifetime achievement, there will be two additional awards: Mobo Impact and Mobo Pioneer. The awards, founded in 1996, will take place on 7 February, with highlights broadcast on BBC One. Mobo award nominations 2024 Best male act Central Cee Dave D-Block Europe J Hus Nines Stormzy Best female act Flo Jorja Smith Little Simz Mahalia PinkPantheress Raye Album of the year Ezra Collective – Where I’m Meant To Be J Hus – Beautiful and Brutal Yard Little Simz – No Thank You Potter Payper – Real Back in Style Raye – My 21st Century Blues Stormzy – This Is What We Mean Song of the year Central Cee & Dave – Sprinter J Hus – Who Told You (ft Drake) Jorja Smith – Little Things PinkPantheress & Ice Spice – Boy’s a Liar Pt 2 Raye & 070 Shake – Escapism Stormzy – Hide & Seek Best newcomer Ama Lou AntsLive Debbie Jayo Nippa No Guidnce Rimzee Strandz Tamera Tunde Video of the year AntsLive – Number One Candidate (dir Tom Emmerson) Enny – No More Naija Men (dir Otis Dominique) Jords – Dirt in the Diamond EP1: Mobay ft Tay Iwar / Stay Close ft Kranium (dir Renee Maria Osubu) Little Simz – Gorilla (dir Dave Meyers) Stormzy – Mel Made Me Do It (dir Klvdr) Tion Wayne – Healing (dir Wowa) Best R&B/soul act Bellah Jaz Karis Mahalia Ragz Originale Sampha Sault Best hip-hop act Avelino Clavish Digga D Enny Fredo Giggs Little Simz Loyle Carner Nines Potter Payper Best grime act Bugzy Malone Duppy Flowdan Manga Saint Hilare Novelist P Money Best drill act Central Cee Headie One K-Trap Kwengface M24 Russ Millions TeeZandos Unknown T Best international act (US) Doja Cat Drake & 21 Savage Travis Scott Ice Spice Latto Lil Uzi Vert Nicki Minaj Sexyy Red SZA Victoria Monét Best performance in a TV show/film Adjani Salmon – Dreaming Whilst Black Damson Idris – Snowfall Deja J Bowens – Champion Idris Elba – Hijack India Amarteifio – Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story John Boyega – They Cloned Tyrone Lashana Lynch – The Woman King Best media personality Alison Hammond Amelia Dimoldenberg Henrie Kwushue Madame Joyce Maya Jama Pressed podcast Remi Burgz ShxtsnGigs Specs Gonzalez Zeze Millz Best African music act Adekunle Gold Asake Ayra Starr Burna Boy Davido Libianca Rema Tyla Uncle Waffles Wizkid Best Caribbean music act Byron Messia Destra Kabaka Pyramid Popcaan Shenseea Valiant Best jazz act Blue Lab Beats Cktrl Ezra Collective Masego Reuben James Yazmin Lacey Best alternative music act Alt Blk Era Arlo Parks Deijuvhs Kid Bookie Skindred Young Fathers Best electronic/dance act Aluna Nia Archives PinkPantheress Salute Shygirl Tsha Best producer Info Kyle Evans M1onTheBeat P2J Steel Banglez TSB Best gospel act Annatoria CalledOut Music Guvna B Limoblaze Tofunmi Adorna Triple O