Putting Black men’s risk of prostate cancer centre stage at the MOBO Awards

Some of the biggest stars in Black music and culture will come together at the 2025 MOBO Awards – and we’re excited to announce that we’ll be there as the event’s official charity partner.  

The MOBO Awards is one of the highlights of the entertainment calendar and has become a cultural institution for those working in the arts, as well as millions of fans across the UK and around the world. 

This year, for the first time, we’re partnering with MOBO to raise lifesaving awareness of Black men’s higher risk of prostate cancer.  

We’ll put prostate cancer in the spotlight at one of the most prestigious events of the year, helping to make sure Black men and their loved ones have the power to navigate this complex disease. 

A stellar line-up honouring the best in Black music and culture

The 2025 MOBO Awards will take place on 18 February at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle. It’s one of the most anticipated events in the music calendar, honouring the very best in Black music and culture – from the UK and beyond.

The event will feature incredible live performances and special guest appearances from some of the biggest and most exciting names in music, entertainment and culture.  

As well as taking our place as the event’s official charity partner, we’re also supporting the Best Male Act category – which includes a stellar line-up of incredible artists among the nominees. 

Celebrated musician and actor Bashy (Ashley Thomas) is up for the award, along with Mercury Prize winner Sampha and UK chart-topper Central Cee. Legendary grime artist MC Ghetts, hip-hop group D-Block Europe and 20-year-old Manchester rapper Nemzzz also feature on the shortlist. 

Kanya King CBE, The MOBO Group Founder and CEO, said: “At MOBO, we’ve spent decades shining a spotlight on talent. This year, we’re using that spotlight to illuminate a lifesaving message about prostate cancer.   

“When culture and community come together, we create unstoppable momentum, so this partnership with Prostate Cancer UK is more than a collaboration - it’s a commitment to drive change, challenge health inequities and save lives.”

Joining forces with MOBO to raise lifesaving awareness

The MOBOs is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of prostate cancer and help more Black men get a potentially lifesaving earlier diagnosis. 

1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer – that’s double the risk of other men. And it’s even higher if you’re over 45 or if you have a family history of the disease. 

But we also know prostate cancer is easier to treat if you find it early. And that’s why it’s so important to check your risk. More than 120,000 Black men have already taken our quick and easy online Risk Checker, which only takes 30 seconds.

“We’re proud to be the official charity partner of the 2025 MOBO Awards and to be supporting the Best Male Act category,” said Keith Morgan, our Associate Director of Black Health Equity. 

“The MOBOs is a Black cultural institution that has shared the message of cause, culture, creativity and community for decades. We’re motivated to join forces and together raise lifesaving awareness of the most common cancer in men, which disproportionately impacts Black men and those who love them. 

“1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer – that’s double the risk of other men. Your risk also increases if your dad or brother had it, or you’re over 45, putting Black men at higher risk from a younger age. So it’s about time you checked your risk online.  

“Together with MOBO, we’ll continue to raise vital awareness of prostate cancer and help get more Black men a lifesaving earlier diagnosis.” 

Let’s change outdated NHS guidelines now

Our partnership with the 2025 MOBO Awards follows our recent story that revealed shocking new data showing Black men are being put in disproportionate danger of dying from prostate cancer.

That’s because of significant health inequities in the way prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated, and outdated NHS guidelines that treat Black men the same as other men who have a lower risk.

We’re calling on the government to change these guidelines right now, so GPs can proactively talk to Black men about prostate cancer from the age of 45.

This simple step could enable doctors to start thousands of potentially lifesaving conversations with Black men, talking them through the pros and cons of a quick and free PSA blood test.

Excited for the 20025 MOBO Awards? You can watch the ceremony when it’s streamed to a global audience live on YouTube on 18 February and then later broadcast on BBC One. And if you'd like to see it live from the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, tickets are available to buy here. We’ll be sharing more exciting announcements as we count down to the ceremony. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X to find out more!