Nigerian ace musician, Wizkid has bagged two awards, at the just ended MOBO awards, one of UK’s most prestigious celebration of Black music and culture.
Wizkid won in the Best international act and Best African act category wadding off competition from music gaints such as Tems, Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwas Savage, King Promise, Rema, CKay, Ayra Star and UK rap group, NSG.
Meanwhile, British rapper and singer, Dave, took home the top prize at this year’s Mobo Awards, winning Best album for his second record, ‘We’re All Alone In This Together’.
Rapper Little Simz won Best female, in recognition of her triumphant third album, ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’.
That notwithstanding, grime legend Ghetts, took home his first ever Mobo, for Best male, 16 years after releasing his ground-breaking debut, ‘2000 & Life’.
Ghetts after receiving his award said: “I wasn’t even expecting this. It’s been such a journey”.
The ceremony, which was held in Coventry Arena, marked the first in-person Mobo awards since 2017. The show took a two-year break in 2018, while last year’s awards were distributed virtually due to the pandemic.
Brit singer, Bree Runway, who successfully hosted the red carpet session jolted the event back to life, revving up the red carpet on a motorbike and swerving onto the stage for a pneumatic performance of her single, ‘Hot Hot’.
Recognition for drill
Drill music had a big presence at the MOBO celebration, in the year that the genre earned its first UK number one single, the remix of Tion Wayne and Russ, ‘Millions’ Body’.
That track won Song of the year, while London rapper Central Cee picked up Best drill act, a new category introduced for this year’s awards.
According to some reports, the recognition is a sign that drill has outgrown its associations with gang violence (the genre, which originated in Chicago, was originally named after a slang term for fighting or retaliation between rival gangs).
Drill artist, Central Cee, who has become known for his melodic and sometimes emotional twist on drill’s ominous beats earned the Best newcomer award.
Central Cee picking up his first award for the night said: “We’re still independent, we still haven’t signed a deal. I feel like that’s special in itself”.
Mobo founder Kanya King ahead of Sunday’s ceremony had noted that the cultural impact of drill is huge. According to her the organisers have seen the progress and have been able to acknowledge that artistic excellence. She also emphasized that she believes music and the arts can be a platform for a better life.
Below is the full list of winners
Album of the year – Dave, ‘We’re All Alone In This Together’
Best female act – Little Simz
Best male act – Ghetts
Best newcomer – Central Cee
Song of the year – Tion Wayne & Russ Millions, ‘Body’ (Remix)
Video of the year – M1llionz, ‘Lagga’
Best grime act- Skepta
Best R&B/soul act – Cleo Sol
Best hip-hop act – D. Block Europe
Best drill act – Central Cee
Best international act – Wizkid
Best performance in a TV show/film – Micheal Ward as Franklyn in Small Axe
Best media personality – Chunkz & Yung Filly
Best gospel act – Guvna B
Best African music act – Wizkid
Best reggae act -Shenseea
Best jazz act – Sons of Kemet
Best producer – Jae5
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