First held at the Connaught Rooms , London in 1996 this event was originally launched to celebrate “Music of Black Origin”. The definition has since morphed a little as the awards now encapsulate and celebrate “all types of music from urban culture”. This evening, acts of all genres, cultures and creeds will gather in Glasgows SECC for the annual celebration that is the MOBO Awards.
Most notably our very own Maverick Sabre has been shortlisted for the coveted Best Newcomer award having announced himself triumphantly onto the scene this past year. Past winners of the award include none other than Tinie Tempah, Chipmunk and N-Dubz and the standard of acts in the category this year is testament to just how much talent is surfacing and how artists are now more than ever making their own breaks into an ever changing music business. Kanya King, CEO and Founder of MOBO said: “We are very pleased with the level of this year’s nominees, including many emerging artists, some who have come from backgrounds where they haven’t been given a foot in the door, so-to-speak, these artists have shown real determination to make it happen.”
Alongside Maverick in the Best Newcomer category is another artist making it happen Wretch 32. The North London rapper is this year’s most nominated male act with 4nominations and as well as performing on the night will also fight it out with Rizzle Kicks, Tinie Tempah and Wiley for Best UK hip hop/grime act. His debut single Traktor, which reached number five in the UK singles chart, has been nominated for best song. Hosting this years event will be Jason Derulo and Ailisha Dixon whilst the backstage area should be interesting as Dappy and Tinchy Stryder present all the goings on behind the scenes. The evening will include performances by Jason Derulo, Dappy, Tinchy Stryder, the legendary Boys II Men, Alexis Jordan, Katy B, Wretch 32 and a very special tribute to Amy Winehouse.
Here is the full list of nominations for the MOBO Awards 2011:
Best UK Act Adele, Chase & Status, Chipmunk, Examplem, Jessie J, Katy B, N-Dubz, Wretch 32, The Streets, Tinie Tempah
Best Newcomer Alex Clare, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande, Jamie Woon, Jessie J, Loick Essien, Maverick Sabre, Rizzle Kicks, Yasmin, Wretch 32
Best UK Hip Hop/Grime Act Giggs, Rizzle Kicks, Tinie Tempah, Wiley, Wretch 32
Best Video Chipmunk featuring Chris Brown – ‘Champion’, Jessie J – ‘Do It Like A Dude’, Rizzle Kicks – ‘Down With The Trumpets’, Tinchy Stryder featuring Dappy – ‘Spaceship’, Wiley – ‘Numbers In Action’
Best International Act Alexis Jordan, Aloe Blacc, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Cee Lo Green, Jason Derulo, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa
Best Song Adele – ‘Someone Like You’, Chase & Status featuring Tinie Tempah – ‘Hitz’, Jessie J – ‘Do It Like A Dude’, Tinie Tempah – ‘Wonderman’, Wretch 32 – ‘Traktor’
Best Album Adele – 21, Chase & Status – No More Idols, Jessie J – Who You Are, Katy B – On A Mission, Tinie Tempah – Disc-Overy
Best UK R&B/Soul Act Adele, Dionne Bromfield, Marsha Ambrosious, Mike Houg,h Omar
Best Reggae Alborosie, Damien Marley & Nas, Jah Cure, Khago Mavado
Best Jazz Act Denys Baptiste, Gwilym Simcock, Kairos 4tet, Matthew Halsall, Usonic
Best African Act Cheikh Lo, D’Banj, Fatouma Diawara, Liquideep, Owiny Sigoma Band, Seun Kuti, SMOD, Spoek Mathambo, Vieux Farka Toura, Wizkid
Best Gospel Act Bobby Bovell, Four Kornerz, Jayess, Junor Garr, Triple O
