The Lebara Mobile Asian Music Awards took place on Thursday 25th October in Wembley Arena, London and with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan as the headline act the 10th Asian Music Awards were bigger than ever.
Hosted by the BBC Asian Network’s Tommy Sandhu and BBC 1Xtra’s Sarah-Jane Crawford the awards ceremony included performances by Imran Khan, Ash King, Shide Boss, Arjun and Amanjot Sangha.
The night saw plenty of stars grace the blue carpet including rapper Chip, MOBO founder Kanya King, comedian Kojo, actor Nitin Ganatra, singer H Dhami, The Stranger Family, boy band Times Red, presenter Tasmin Lucia-Khan and Ameet Chana, to name a few.
We chatted to some of the artists as they made their way down the blue carpet to ask them what brought them to the Lebara Asian Music Awards.
Best known for their appearance on the British talent show, X-Factor, Staz Nair one third of boy band Times Red told us what brought them to the awards, “Well obviously there are a load of amazing acts here today, I myself am half Indian, so that is kind of why I am here! But obviously we are just looking forward to seeing the acts.”
The group who had come to present an award went on to tell us about listening to Asian music. “We are quite collective in what we listen to and what inspires us. Obviously there are a lot of Asian music in the commercial industry like Naughty boy, M.I.A, Jay Sean, Juggy D, everyone is kind of there, so it is all easy to listen to so I guess you could say we listen to it.”
Bhangra artists Metz and Trix spoke to us after the awards ceremony about the awards saying, “It’s the UK Asian music awards so they have been representing the Asian music scene for over the last 10 years. It is great to see and we have had an amazing night and there have been some amazing performances.”
Trix went on to say, “I just want to congratulate all the winners tonight and respect. We are at Wembley Arena this year and I can only see it getting bigger and better from here.”
Shide Boss was awarded Best Newcomer and on winning told Bollyspice, “It feels great to perform at Wembley in my first year and win best newcomer. It’s really nice to know that my talent and hard work has been recognised.”
He also went on to tell Bollyspice what else he has coming up saying, “I have got my first official single with Dr Zeus, called Kangna, coming out maybe December time, we are looking to shoot the video really soon. That is what is in the pipeline, it’s going to be all about Kangna.”
Singer Arjun walked away with Best Urban Act in association with the MOBOS and was presented with the award by the MOBO founder Kanya King and comedian Kojo.
The biggest winner of the night was Rahet Fateh Ali Khan who was awarded with Best International Act, Best-Selling Download and Best International Act of the Decade.
Stay tuned for our interviews with Imran Khan, Bollywood singer Ash King and Preeya Kalidas.
A full list of winners can be viewed below:
Lebara Mobile Best Club DJ – Panjabi Hit Squad
Nokia Unsigned – Amanjot Sangha
Infusion Best Alternative Act – Raghu Dixit
Kingfisher Best Radio Show – Neev, Kiss 100
Best-Selling Download in association with Official Charts Company – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan ‘Teri Meri’
Lebara Money Best International Album – Yo Yo Honey Singh ‘International Villager’
Nokia Best International Act – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
Here & Now 365 Best Producer – Dr Zeus
Lebara Mobile Best Album – JK ‘Gabru Panjab Dha’
Saavn Best Desi Act – RDB
B4U Best Video – MIA ‘Bad Girls’
Lebara Mobile British Artist of the Decade – Jay Sean
Lebara Mobile International Artist of the Decade – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
Best Urban Act in association with MOBO – Arjun
Hilton London Wembley Best Newcomer – Shide Boss
Asian Woman Best Female – Preeya Kalidas
Lebara Mobile Best Male – Jay Sean
B4U Commitment to the Scene – RDB
(Photo Credit – Nina Patel)
