The MOBO Awards ceremony took place last night (September 30th) in Glasgow and proved that British urban talent is as strong as ever.
Founded back in 1995, the MOBOs are a showcase for emerging urban talent. Named ‘Music Of Black Origin’ the awards have continually caused controversy, but anything that shines a light on hitherto neglected aspects of British music is fine by us!
This year the ceremony made the long journey up to Glasgow. Taking place outside London for the first time in its history, the event was a huge success with a star studded line up.
On the night, the big winners were all British. Young pop acts such as JLS and N-Dubz beat of competition from some of the world’s biggest acts.
JLS, runners-up in the X Factor talent show last year, win two awards for ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best Song’.
In a shock MC Chipmunk managed to beat off competition from Eminem, Kanye West and Dizzee Rascal to win ‘Best Hip Hop’. The teenage grime star seemed overcome by the award, perhaps his biggest achievement to date.
Speaking to The Guardian, founder Kanya King claimed: “I think we’ve seriously arrived this year”.
“We’ve an amazing line-up and this is what we’ve been working towards … outselling a lot of other American counterparts and we’ve got them all on one stage. Let’s give them the credit they deserve because all too often we’ve been told that British acts aren’t up to the same standard.”
Full list of winners as follows:
Best UK Act – N-Dubz
Best Newcomer – JLS
Best Song – Beat Again by JLS
Best Album – N-Dubz
Best DJ – Trevor Nelson
Best Hip Hop – Chipmunk
Best R&B – Keri Hilson
Best International Performer – Beyonce
Best Video – Beyonce, Single Ladies
Best Reggae – Sean Paul
Best Jazz – Yolanda Brown
Best Gospel – Vic Tizzle
Best African Act – Nneka
