Eve and Eddie Kadi to host MOBO Awards in Manchester, with Olivia Dean set to perform

Global hip-hop icon Eve and UK comedian and broadcaster Eddie Kadi will host the 2026 MOBO Awards at Co-op Live in Manchester on 26 March, as the awards show marks its 30th anniversary with a celebration of Black music and culture.

The first wave of performers announced for the awards night places women at the forefront, with British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, R&B trio FLO and Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage confirmed to take the stage, with more acts and special honourees expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of the MOBO Group, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have the iconic Eve and the incomparable Eddie Kadi hosting the MOBO Awards in Manchester. As we mark 30 years of MOBO, this moment feels especially powerful. Eve and Eddie each represent excellence, authenticity and cultural impact in their own right – and together, they embody the spirit, humour and global perspective that has always defined the MOBO Awards.

“We’re equally thrilled to announce our first wave of performers, with Olivia Dean, FLO and Tiwa Savage taking centre stage. These are artists shaping the sound of now – bold, brilliant and rooted in creative truth – and we can’t wait to see them light up the MOBO stage in Manchester.”

Eve’s career spans music, television and film, with multi-million-selling records such as ‘Who’s That Girl’ and ‘Let Me Blow Your Mind’ to her name, as well as hosting duties on CBS’ daytime talk show The Talk and her BBC Sounds podcast Constantly Evolving with Eve.

She said: “I’m so excited to be co-hosting the MOBO Awards in this big 30th anniversary year… Manchester, I hope you’re ready because we have an amazing night planned for you.”

Eddie Kadi, returning as host for a second consecutive year after co-hosting in 2025, brings his unique humour and profile as a supporter of African music to the ceremony. On his return, he said: “To be back for the second year in a row co-hosting the MOBO Awards is an honour, especially for its 30th anniversary… Expect the unexpected with performances and surprise appearances.”

Olivia Dean, one of the early confirmed performers, is among the leading nominees this year alongside Little Simz and rising artists kwn and Jim Legxacy, each earning four nods, with FLO, Central Cee, Skepta and PinkPantheress on three-nomination tallies. Tiwa Savage, celebrated for her influence in Afrobeats and global collaborations, is nominated for Best African Music Act.

Tickets for the event are available now via the official MOBO website.