Dancehall icon Vybz Kartel has once again stamped his authority on the global stage, clinching Best Caribbean Music Act at the 2026 MOBO Awards in Manchester. The landmark win, secured at the Co-op Live arena on Thursday, reinforces Kartel’s enduring dominance and cultural impact, even as he faced stiff competition from a new generation of Caribbean stars. He was also nominated for Best International Act, further underlining his crossover relevance.
The “God Is The Greatest” hitmaker triumphed over a strong shortlist that included fellow Jamaican heavyweights such as Masicka and Shenseea, alongside Lila Iké, Ayetian, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Yung Bredda. While Kartel dominated the Caribbean category, the Best International Act award ultimately went to Nigerian superstar Ayra Starr, placing him among a global roster that included Cardi B, Gunna, and Kehlani. Notably, Kartel’s latest victory follows his receipt of the MOBO Impact Award in 2025, signalling a sustained wave of recognition from the UK-based institution.
Elsewhere on the night, Shenseea delivered a milestone moment with her first-ever MOBO performance, continuing a legacy that saw her become the first woman to win Best Reggae Act in 2021 before capturing Best Caribbean Music Act in 2025. British actor Stephen Graham, who boasts Jamaican roots, secured Best Performance in a TV Show/Film for Adolescence, while multi-talented singer-songwriter Olivia Dean dominated with three major wins, including Album of the Year.
Kartel’s latest MOBO triumph not only reaffirms his status as dancehall’s most influential figure but also signals the genre’s continued global expansion, with Caribbean voices commanding attention on one of the UK’s biggest music stages.
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