We at Bollyspice.com sometimes like to bring you news on events outside of the world of Bollywood and we recently attended the MOBO awards in Liverpool to bring you details on the awards ceremony that saw some of the music industries brightest stars in attendance.
Established by Kanya King and Andy Ruffell in 1996, the MOBO Awards recognise and celebrate artists who create urban music. The MOBO Awards also lent their support to the recently held Lebara Mobile Asian Music Awards which saw Kanya King hand out the award for Best Urban Act to British Asian singer Arjun.
Speaking about the MOBO’s Kanya King told the media, “Tonight has been a night not only for home grown talent such as Emeli Sande and Plan B who we’ve championed from the beginning of their careers, but also less represented genres of music such as gospel, jazz, African which are equally important for MOBO.”
Taking place in the Echo Arena on Saturday 3rd November Miquita Oliver and Adam Deacon hosted the night, which saw performances by Emelie Sande, Labrinth, JLS. Conor Maynard, Wiley, Misha B, Angel and girl band Stooshe.
Emeli Sande kicked of the night with a special rendition of My Kind of Love. The singer, who also performed at both the opening and closing ceremony of the Olympics, had plenty more to celebrate this year as she took away not one but three MOBO Awards for Best R&B/Soul, Best Album and Best Female Act.
Rising star Rita Ora, who flew in especially for the awards ceremony from her US tour, took away the MOBO award for Best Newcomer and presented awards to Plan B for Best Male Act and Best Hip Hop/Grime.
Labrinth delivered an unforgettable performance of his hits, which saw him take to a grand piano to perform Beneath Your Beautiful, as well as lighting the stage on fire with his performance of Earthquake.
We spoke to Labrinth to congratulate the singer on receiving the MOBO award for Best Song. The singer told us that coming up he has, “More music, more albums and more artists, I am signing artists to my record label, hopefully I can bring some new names to the business.”
Labrinth had a message for his fans telling Bollyspice, “I dedicated that whole MOBO moment to them, they have done an amazing thing for me and I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Zoe Rahman, who is of mixed Bangladeshi and English descent, was awarded the MOBO for Best Jazz from singer Delilah and YolanDa Brown.
TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozana “Chilli” Thomas took to the stage to also collect the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, whilst legendary singer Dionne Warwick was the guest of honour which saw her collect the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the music industry since she started in 1962.
A full list of winners can be seen below and the show can be watched on BBC iPlayer until Saturday 10th November.
Best Female Act – Emeli Sande
Best Male Act – Plan B
Best Newcomer – Rita Ora
Best R&B/Soul Act – Emeli Sande
Best Hip-Hop/Grime Act – Plan B
Best Video – JLS – ‘Do You Feel What I Feel’
Best Song – Labrinth Ft Tinie Tempah –‘Earthquake’
Best Album – Emeli Sande – ‘Our Version of Events’
Best International Act – Nicki Minaj
Best Reggae Act – Sean Paul
Best Jazz Act – Zoe Rahman
Best African Act – D’Banj
Best Gospel Act – Rachel Kerr
Outstanding Contribution to Music – TLC
Lifetime Achievement Award – Dionne Warwick
