Mobo awards go to to London for first time
An award ceremony which celebrates black music will take place away from London tonight for the first time.
Chart toppers Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy Stryder and Alexandra Burke are expected at the SECC in Glasgow for the 14th annual Mobo awards.
But there has been controversy over the decision to take the event north of the border.
International Mobo nominees include Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Akon and Eminem but few of them are expected to turn up to collect their awards.
And even UK-based acts such as Dizzee Rascal and Alesha Dixon are not thought to be travelling north for the ceremony, despite being nominated in several categories.
Critics claimed the Scottish city was not “sexy” enough to host the show, which pays tribute to achievements in hip hop, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz and African music.
Rapper Chipmunk, riding high in the charts with his hit Diamond Rings, is expected to sweep the board.
The 18-year-old has been nominated for Best UK Act, Best Hip Hop Act, Best Video and Best Song.
He won Best Newcomer at last year’s Mobo awards, and gained one more nomination than Dizzee Rascal, who broke UK records when three of his self-released singles hit the top spot in a row this year.
Mobos chief executive Kanya King said she is “exhilarated” by Glasgow.
She went on: “Glasgow is sexy. We have got all the coolest stars coming here.
“We are going to show them sexy, we’re going to show them cool, we’re going to show them passion.”
The 14th annual awards will be co-hosted by Radio 1’s Reggie Yates and US R&B singer Keri Hilson, with the winners chosen by public vote.
The 2009 ceremony will pay tribute to Michael Jackson, with Latoya and Jermaine Jackson performing on stage in memory of their brother.
“There is no other tribute happening in this country,” King said.
“It’s fantastic that all the artists are able to give a special mention to Michael, who influenced so many people’s lives.”
1 SHOWBIZ Mobos Nominees
Here are this year's Mobo nominations:
BEST UK ACT
Alesha Dixon
Bashy
Beverly Knight
Chipmunk
Dizzee Rascal
DJ Ironik
Donae’o
Mr Hudson
N-Dubz
Tinchy Stryder
BEST UK NEWCOMER
Alexandra Burke
Jade Ewen
JLS
Laura Izibor
Master Shortie
BEST R&B/SOUL ACT
Beverly Knight
Ciara
Jeremih
Keri Hilson
Lemar
BEST HIP HOP ACT
Chipmunk
Dizzee Rascal
Drake
Eminem
Kanye West
BEST VIDEO
Bonkers – Dizzee Rascal
Boy Does Nothing – Alesha Dixon
Diamond Rings – Chipmunk ft. Emeli Sande
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Beyonce
Supernova – Mr Hudson ft Kanye West
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Akon
Beyonce
Ciara
Drake
Eminem
Jay Z
Kanye West
Keri Hilson
Lady Gaga
Mariah Carey
BEST SONG
Beat Again – JLS
Diamond Rings – Chipmunk ft Emeli Sande
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes – KIG Family
Number One – Tinchy Stryder ft N-Dubz
Strong Again – N-Dubz
BEST ALBUM
808s and Heartbreaks – Kanye West
Catch 22 – Tinchy Stryder
Catch Me If You Can – Bashy
I Am... Sasha Fierce – Beyonce
Uncle B – N-Dubz
BEST DJ
Manny Norte
Masterstepz
Mistajam
Ras Kwame
Rickie & Melvin
Sarah Love
Semtex
Shortee Blitz
Steve Sutherland
DJ Target
Tim Westwood
Trevor Nelson
BEST REGGAE
Movado
Sean Paul
Serani
Tarrus Riley
Vybz Kartel
BEST JAZZ ACT
Diana Krall
Herbie Hancock
Madeleine Peyroux
Melody Gardot
Yolanda Brown
BEST AFRICAN ACT
Eidee
Mujava
Nneka
Oumou Sangare
Salif Kelta
BEST GOSPEL ACT
Desire to Worship God
Kiki Sheard
Mary Mary
New Direction
Victizzle
