From a historic UK return to renewed awards recognition, Vybz Kartel’s MOBO journey shows no signs of slowing. The dancehall icon has earned two major nominations at the 2026 MOBO Awards, landing spots in Best International Act and Best Caribbean Music Act as the ceremony heads to Manchester for its landmark 30th anniversary on March 26 at the Co-op Live Arena. The nods reaffirm Kartel’s enduring global impact and arrive just a year after his career-defining MOBO Impact Award moment in 2025.
Announced on Thursday, January 15, the full list of nominees spans 20 categories and recognises standout releases from September 1, 2024, to October 1, 2025. Kartel finds himself in elite company, competing alongside global heavyweights, including Cardi B, Gunna, Tyla, and Ayra Starr, in the Best International Act category, while facing strong Caribbean contenders such as Shenseea, Masicka, and Lila Iké in the Best Caribbean Music Act category. The dual nomination underscores dancehall’s growing footprint on the global awards circuit — with Kartel firmly at its centre.
The recognition builds on a powerful 2025 MOBO Awards that saw Jamaican talent dominate headlines. That year marked Kartel’s first UK appearance in over a decade, where MOBO founder Kanya King OBE described his influence as “immeasurable” while presenting him with the Impact Award. The moment signalled not just celebration, but resurgence — and these 2026 nominations suggest the Worl’ Boss era is far from over.
As the MOBOs make their first-ever move to Manchester, backed by a week-long MOBO Fringe Festival and a growing cultural spotlight on the city, Kartel’s presence adds further weight to the anniversary edition. Whether he walks away with trophies or not, his continued recognition confirms one thing: Vybz Kartel remains a defining force in global Black music — past, present and still very much future.
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