Over the years, artists have included Janet Jackson, E-17, Destiny's Child, Dionne Warwick, Lisa Maffia, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Tina Turner, Rosie Gaines, Dizzee Rascal, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Amy Winehouse, Stefflon Don, Coolio, Usher, John Legend, Jason Derulo, and Jessie J.

The Malibu MOBO Awards show was held at The Royal Albert Hall and hosted by Mel B and Bill Bellamy.

Performers and presenters included footballer Sol Campbell, girl band All Saints, DJ Trevor Nelson, boxers Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank, Puff Daddy, Chaka Khan, Goldie, Another Level, and Martine McCutcheon.

Performers and presenters included Des'ree, Dru Hill, Method Man & Redman, Tim Westwood, Lionel Richie, Lulu, Victoria Beckham, Chris Eubank, Another Level, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Destiny's Child, and girl band Eternal.

The MOBO Awards 2000 ceremony took place at Alexandra Palace, hosted by Trevor Nelson and Lisa Left Eye Lopes and sponsored by Mastercard.

In addition to their performances, Craig David, Jamelia, Beenie Man, MJ Cole and Gabrielle also won awards.

In 2003, the MOBO awards show moved to The Royal Albert Hall and was hosted by Blu Cantrell and Lil' Kim, with performances from DMX, Lumidee, Wayne Wonder, George Benson, Lemar, Seal, Mis-Teeq and Redman, J'Nay John Adeleye, Big Brovaz, Black Eyed Peas and Kool and the Gang.

Among the winners of the night were: 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, Big Brovaz and Lisa Maffia, who was the only UK female artist to win an award.

The event was hosted by Gina Yashere and Akon at The Royal Albert Hall, with guest presenters Chris Eubank, Lisa Maffia, Josie Darby, Simon Webbe, Myleene Klass, Estelle, Tim Westwood, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Chuck D. Big winners on the night included Corrine Bailey-Rae, Lemar, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Sean Paul and Beyoncé.

[15] The awards show returned to Glasgow's SEC Centre on 5 October 2011, hosted by Jason Derülo and Alesha Dixon.

Presented by Miquita Oliver and Adam Deacon – with backstage support from Rickie and Melvin – the night saw Trey Songz, Conor Maynard, Emeli Sandé, Misha B, JLS, Stooshe, Labrinth, Angel and Wiley perform.

"Of the many worthy winners of best song, we deeply regret a mistake was made," said Mobo organisers, in a statement blaming a "production error".

[17] MOBO UnSung is a biennial talent competition for unsigned acts, showcasing the next generation of urban artists.

[18] The ten finalists (unusually increased to eleven in 2018 due to the high numbers of entrants), are narrowed down to a top three, which the winner is then picked from.

[19] Since its return in 2022, there is no overall competition winner; instead, the ten finalists each receive prizes and enter into a nine month-long artist development programme that includes studio time, live performance opportunities, mentoring, business and legal training, marketing and promotion, grants, and networking with key players in the music industry.

The MOBOs have faced criticism for having become increasingly oriented towards "commercial" urban music, and having given nominations and awards to musicians who are not black.

[38][39] In 2003, a boycott effort emerged after the American pop musicians Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera won the awards for Best R&B Act and Best Video respectively.

He argued that the show had become "little more than a pat on the back and a jolly boys' outing for major labels and American acts.

In the column, it was noted that Labrinth had criticized the nominations of Conor Maynard and Ed Sheeran for awards, while Charlie Dark of Attica Blues argued that the MOBOs needed to promote innovation in black music, and "shouldn't be an annual event where everyone pats themselves on the back for very small advances that they've made, when they are powerful enough to bring real change.

"[39] In 2020, English rock duo Nova Twins wrote an open letter on Twitter addressed to the MOBOs concerning the lack of a Rock/Alternative category, despite the fact that many POC have contributed to the evolution of rock music, and still are to this day, and hoping "that a Rock/Alternative category will be added to the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards in 2021, recognising the POC contributors to the genre".