50 cent a triple Mobo winner
Controversial US rapper 50 Cent was a triple winner at the Mobo awards.
The star won best album for Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ and best single for In Da Club.
And he was crowned best hip hop act at the Royal Albert Hall awards bash last night.
Justin Timberlake was named best R&B act and Christina Aguilera won best video for Dirrty.
UK act of the year was jointly awarded to Big Brovas and the Punjabi MC after a tie in the voting – the first time that has happened in Mobo history.
Big Brovas also picked up the best newcomer award while Lisa Maffia won best garage act.
Kool & The Gang received an outstanding achievement award and George Benson picked up the award for lifetime achievement.
The glitzy ceremony was co-hosted by rap star L’il Kim – winner of the fashion icon award – and singer Blu Cantrell.
Hundreds of fans packed the street outside the Royal Albert Hall to catch a glimpse of the stars arriving.
Ms Dynamite looked stunning in a silver Grecian-style dress by Wale Adeyemi, showing off her newly trim figure two months after the birth of her baby.
Lisa Maffia wore a tiny black outfit while Jade Jagger sported a red dress by Adidas.
Teen soprano Charlotte Church, dressed down in jeans, arrived hand in hand with boyfriend Steven Johnson.
All guests had to pass through metal detectors at the entrance and were frisked by security staff before being allowed into the hall.
50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, arrived late at the ceremony to pick up his three awards.
It meant fans at his gig kicking off his No Fear No Mercy tour across town in Wembley Arena were kept waiting by the star for about two hours.
The rapper kept up his “gangsta” image by turning up on stage to collect his best album award with a 10-strong posse, all with bandanas covering their faces.
He said: “I’ve won a lot of awards this year from a lot of different people. I’d like to thank God for blessing me with the talent.”
Other stars at the awards included Bob Geldof, Jamelia, model Sophie Anderton, the Sugababes, Duran Duran star Simon Le Bon and EastEnders’ actress Charlie Brooks.
50 Cent almost did not make it past Heathrow airport as customs officials held him for four hours when he flew in to the UK on Wednesday.
He was quizzed over alleged gang violence in the US but eventually was allowed into the country.
The gold-toothed star claims to have been shot nine times and says he was dealing drugs on the streets of New York from the age of 12.
According to him, he has spent nine years in jail – although a recent article in US hip hop magazine The Source claimed he served only seven months for minor drug offences.
:: The Mobo awards will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Sunday September 28.
Full list of winners:
:: Best R&B – Justin Timberlake
:: Best Video – Christina Aguilera featuring Redman, Dirrty
:: Best Hip Hop – 50 Cent
:: UK Act of the Year – Punjabi MC/Big Brovas
:: Best Album – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, 50 Cent
:: Best Single – In Da Club, 50 Cent
:: Best Newcomer – Big Brovaz
:: Best Producer – Neptunes
:: Best Garage Act – Lisa Maffia
:: Best Reggae Act – Wayne Wonder
:: Best UK Radio DJ – Tim Westwood (Radio 1)
:: Best UK Club DJ – Shortee Blitz (Kiss FM)
:: Best Jazz Act – Soweto Kinch
:: Best World Music Act – Ibrahim Ferrer
:: Best Gospel Newcomer – Hutcheson Gayle
:: Mobo Unsung Award – J’Nay
:: Mobo Outstanding Achievement Award – Kool & The Gang
:: Mobo Lifetime Achievement Award – George Benson
:: Fashion Icon Award – L’il Kim
