DC3 had his first major award show breakout moment.
The British 19-year-old Christian rapper won both Best Newcomer and Best Gospel Act at the 2026 MOBO Awards, held March 26 in Manchester. For non-U.K. readers who don’t track the show closely, the MOBOs — short for Music of Black Origin — are one of Britain’s biggest music awards, and Best Newcomer is one of the night’s most visible categories.
That’s what makes this such a big night for DC3. He won the award meant to spotlight the next breakout artist, period. On top of that, he’s the first Christian artist in the award show’s 30-year history to win the award, which puts his name alongside past winners like Jessie J, Corinne Bailey Rae, Rita Ora and Central Cee.
For the unintiated, DC3, whose real name is Daniel Chenjerai, is a rapper from Northampton, England, who’s built his audience with faith-forward rap that feels both direct and unapologetically Christian. He’s also still independent, which gives the whole thing a little more edge.
The Best Newcomer piece matters even more because that award is voted on by the public, not just handed out behind industry doors. So this wasn’t only a respectable showing in a niche category; it’s a sign that DC3’s music is connecting with a massive audience.
It helps that DC3 is unashamed about where he gets his inspiration from. Speaking to BBC journalist, Jameel Shariff at the award show, DC3 shared that prayer is his foundation for everything.
“I can’t go a day without praying,” DC3 said.
