The 2025 MOBO Awards, held this year at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, belonged to Darkoo. The British-Nigerian artist took home two awards: Best Female Act and Song of the Year for her hit “Favourite Girl” (featuring Dess Dior). Her electrifying performance, alongside other performers like Bashy, Odeal, and Pozer, capped off the night, solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with.
I try ChatGPT my speech but I fumbled. BEST FEMALE ACT OF THE YEAR. SPEECHLESS!!
— DARKOO (@darkoo) February 18, 2025
Thank you❤️ pic.twitter.com/hakAzUKqPo
Darkoo first burst onto the scene in 2019 with the platinum-certified “Gangsta,” and her rise has been nothing short of meteoric. This early success was further cemented with a No. 1 hit in 2021 as part of the multi-MC remix of Tion Wayne and Russ Millions’ drill track “Body.” “Favourite Girl” itself has garnered tens of millions of streams, both in its original form and a remix featuring Nigerian star Rema. Other recent successes, such as “Focus On Me (All the Sexy Girls in the Club)” and “Right Now” (featuring Davido), demonstrate her consistent impact on the charts.
Her signature sound, which seamlessly fuses African rhythms with contemporary UK influences, was on full display during her captivating performance. She commanded the stage, performing “Favourite Girl” and other tracks, demonstrating why she’s a leading light in British music.
These MOBO wins are more than just accolades; they represent Darkoo’s impact on the UK music scene, particularly for female artists. From viral TikTok trends to collaborations with prominent artists, she has cultivated an undeniable movement. Her performance resonated throughout the arena, capturing the energy of an artist at the peak of her powers.
Darkoo wasn’t the only double winner of the night. Odeal, born in Germany and raised across Nigeria and Spain before settling in the UK, also took home two awards: Best Newcomer and Best R&B/Soul Artist. Odeal has built a strong following with his heartfelt vocal style, releasing a steady stream of music in 2024, including the EP Sunday at Zuri’s and the mini-album Lustropolis, which featured a collaboration with US star Summer Walker. Nigerian singer Ayra Starr also picked up two awards in the overseas categories, for Best African Music Act and Best International Act.
Central Cee was named Best Male Act, following the success of his debut album Can’t Rush Greatness, which reached No. 1 in the UK and an impressive No. 9 in the US. In other rap categories, Scorcher won Best Grime Act and Pozer picked up Best Drill Act.
Beyond the awards themselves, the ceremony also recognized significant contributions to music and culture. Former Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis received the Paving the Way award, and Vybz Kartel, the dancehall vocalist recently released from prison, received the Impact award.
Darkoo’s double win and show-stopping performance signal not just a wave, but a tidal wave of influence. This is just the beginning of her reign. The future of British music is bright, and it’s undoubtedly stamped with Darkoo’s name.
