MOBO Awards

The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin, also known as the MOBOs) are an annual music award presentation honouring achievements in "music of black origin", including hip hop, grime, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and African music.

"MOBO" redirects here. For other uses, see MOBO (disambiguation).

The MOBO Awards
Awarded forExcellence in music of black origin
CountryUnited Kingdom
Presented byMOBO Organisation
First awarded1996
Websitewww.mobo.com
Television/radio coverage
Network

The MOBO Organisation was founded by Kanya King, and the first MOBO award was presented to Baby D, in the Best Dance Act category.[1] The inaugural awards were broadcast by Carlton from London's Connaught Rooms. Across its 22-year history, the MOBOs have been broadcast on Channel 4, BBC Television, ITV2 and on Channel 5 before returning to the BBC in 2020. In 2009, the ceremony was held for the first time in Glasgow. Prior to that, it had been held in London. In 2011, the ceremony returned for a second time to Scotland. The awards then moved to Leeds for the first time in 2015.

The show returned to Leeds in 2017 when it was last held before going on hiatus. In 2020 it was confirmed it would be returning that year, however for the first time ever it would be streamed on YouTube.

Ceremonies

The ceremony was first broadcast regionally on Carlton Television from 1996 to 1997, before airing nationwide on Channel 4 from 1998 until 2003. From 2004 to 2014, they were aired by the BBC; beginning in 2006, the show aired live on BBC Three, and highlights aired on BBC One.

In 2014, the BBC dropped the MOBO Awards, and the ceremony moved to ITV under a three-year deal, airing on ITV2 with same-night highlights on ITV.[2]

In 2017, the ceremony moved to Channel 5 and BET.[3]

In 2018, the MOBO Organisation announced that the ceremony would take a one-year hiatus in order to plan a "bigger, revamped show" in 2019. However, the show did not materialise, with organisers now planning to hold the ceremony in 2020 instead; Kanya King stated that there would be "positive changes" to the show, and that they would be "returning with even more determination and energy to support and boost our culture wherever we can."[4][5]

Table summary
No. Date First broadcast Best Album Best Single Honorary awards Broadcaster Host(s)[6] Venue
1 18 November 1996[7] 21 November 1996 Timeless – Goldie "Give Me a Little More Time" – Gabrielle Lionel Richie
Jazzy B		 Carlton Television (ITV) Sonya Saul New Connaught Rooms, London
2 10 November 1997 13 November 1997[8] Travelling Without Moving – Jamiroquai "I Wanna Be the Only One" – Eternal ft. BeBe Winans Bootsy Collins
Mick Hucknall		 Lisa I'Anson
3 14 October 1998 15 October 1998 Colours – Adam F "Freak Me" – Another Level BB King
Sean Combs		 Channel 4 Mel B and Bill Bellamy Royal Albert Hall
4 6 October 1999 7 October 1999 Prodigal Sista – Beverley Knight "My Love" – Kele Le Roc Tina Turner
Erskine Thompson		 Mel B and Wyclef Jean
5 4 October 2000 5 October 2000 Rise – Gabrielle "Fill Me In" – Craig David LA Reid
Aswad		 Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes and Trevor Nelson Alexandra Palace
6 4 October 2001 6 October 2001 8701 – Usher "Independent Women Part 1" – Destiny's Child Luther Vandross
R Kelly		 Trevor Nelson and Kelis London Arena
7 1 October 2002 3 October 2002 Songs In A Minor – Alicia Keys "It Takes More" – Ms Dynamite Chaka Khan
Jimmy Cliff
Street Politiks		 Alesha Dixon and LL Cool J
8 25 September 2003 4 October 2003 Get Rich Or Die Tryin' – 50 Cent "In Da Club" — 50 Cent George Benson
Kool & The Gang
Lil' Kim		 Lil' Kim and Blu Cantrell Royal Albert Hall
9 30 September 2004 6 October 2004 The College Dropout – Kanye West "Thank You" – Jamelia Anita Baker
Janet Jackson		 BBC One Mos Def
10 22 September 2005 23 September 2005 Time To Grow – Lemar "Pow! (Forward)" – Lethal B Public Enemy
Bob Marley & The Wailers		 Gina Yashere and Akon
11 20 September 2006 22 September 2006 N/A "Déjà Vu" – Beyoncé Sam Moore
Anti-Slavery International		 BBC One (highlights)
BBC Three (live coverage)		 Gina Yashere and Coolio
12 19 September 2007 "Because Of You" – NeYo N/A Jamelia and Shaggy The O2 Arena
13 15 October 2008 Spirit – Leona Lewis "American Boy" – Estelle Mary Wilson Mel B and Rev. Run Wembley Arena
14 30 September 2009 Uncle B – N-Dubz "Beat Again" – JLS Michael Jackson Reggie Yates and Keri Hilson SECC
15 20 October 2010 JLS – JLS "Playing With Fire" – N-Dubz ft. Mr Hudson Billy Ocean Alesha Dixon and Reggie Yates Echo Arena Liverpool
16 5 October 2011 Who You Are – Jessie J "Do It Like A Dude" – Jessie J Boyz II Men Alesha Dixon and Jason Derulo SECC
17 3 November 2012 Our Version of Events – Emeli Sandé "Earthquake" – Labrinth ft. Tinie Tempah Dionne Warwick
TLC		 Miquita Oliver and Adam Deacon Echo Arena Liverpool
18 19 October 2013 Home – Rudimental "La La La" – Naughty Boy Stephen Lawrence Trust Trevor Nelson and Sarah-Jane Crawford The SSE Hydro
19 22 October 2014 In the Lonely Hour – Sam Smith "Stay with Me" – Sam Smith Idris Elba (Inspiration) ITV2 (live coverage)
ITV (deferred)		 Mel B and Sarah-Jane Crawford Wembley Arena
20 4 November 2015 The Long Way Home – Krept and Konan "Shutdown" – Skepta Lenny Henry
CeeLo Green		 Sarah-Jane Crawford First Direct Arena
21 4 November 2016 Made in the Manor – Kano "Robbery (remix)" – Abra Cadabra ft. Krept & Konan Nicola Adams
Ms. Dynamite		 Rickie Haywood Williams and Melvin Odoom[9] The SSE Hydro
22 29 November 2017 Gang Signs & Prayer – Stormzy "Did You See" – J Hus Idris Elba (Paving The Way) Channel 5 (deferred)
BET (highlights)		 Maya Jama and Marvin Humes[10] First Direct Arena[11]
23 9 December 2020 Crabs in a Bucket – Nines "Don't Rush" – Young T & Bugsey feat. Headie One Steve McQueen YouTube (live coverage)
BBC One (highlights)		 Maya Jama and Chunkz Virtual[12]

Performers

In the course of its history, the MOBO Awards show has witnessed performances from UK and international talent. Over the years, artists have included Janet Jackson, Destiny's Child, Dionne Warwick, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Tina Turner, Rosie Gaines, Lisa Maffia, Dizzee Rascal, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Amy Winehouse, Coolio, Usher, John Legend, Jason Derulo, and Jessie J.

In 2000, Sade came out of retirement to perform at the Awards, her first performance in almost a decade.

History

Kanya King launched the MOBO awards in 1996, aiming to establish a platform for music that, according to King, encompasses urban, hip hop, R&B and reggae.

1996

1997

The 1997 award ceremony was held at London's New Connaught Rooms on 10 November. The gala included performances by Mary J. Blige and Eternal.

1998

The MOBO Awards show was held at The Royal Albert Hall and hosted by Mel B and Bill Bellamy. It was broadcast nationally by Channel 4. Performers and presenters included footballer Sol Campbell, girl band All Saints, DJ Trevor Nelson, boxers Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank, Puff Daddy, Chaka Khan, Goldie, Another Level, and Martine McCutcheon. Contribution to Black Music went to Carl McIntosh and B.B. King won the Lifetime Achievement Award.

1999

The 1999 award ceremony was held at The Royal Albert Hall, sponsored by Malibu and hosted by Mel B and Wyclef Jean. International Hip-Hop Act Award went to Jay-Z, Best Album was awarded to Beverley Knight, International Act to Lauryn Hill and Lifetime Achievement Award to Tina Turner. Performers and presenters included Des'ree, Dru Hill, Method Man & Redman, Tim Westwood, Lionel Richie, Lulu, Victoria Beckham, Chris Eubank, Another Level, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Destiny's Child, and girl band Eternal.

2002

2003

In 2003, the MOBO awards show moved to The Royal Albert Hall and was hosted by Blu Cantrell and Lil' Kim, with performances from DMX, Lumidee, Wayne Wonder, George Benson, Lemar, Seal, Mis-Teeq and Redman, J'Nay John Adeleye, Big Brovaz, The Black Eyed Peas and Kool and the Gang. Among the winners of the night were: 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, Big Brovaz and Lisa Maffia, who was the only UK female artist to win an award.

2004

The ninth awards ceremony took place on 30 September 2004 at The Royal Albert Hall and was broadcast by BBC Television. Janet Jackson received the icon award. So Solid Crew won the award in the UK garage Act category award beating Dizzee Rascal and The Streets. Controversy surrounded the removal of reggae artists Vybz Kartel and Elephant Man from the "Best Reggae Act" category at the 2004 awards due to their homophobia and incitement to murder.[13]

2005

The 2005 awards show saw one of the biggest line-ups in MOBO award history, including John Legend, Ms Dynamite, Lemar, Kano, Damien Marley, Public Enemy and Lauryn Hill. The event was hosted by Gina Yashere and Akon at The Royal Albert Hall, with guest presenters Chris Eubank, Lisa Maffia, Josie Darby, Simon Webbe, Myleene Klass, Estelle, Tim Westwood, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Chuck D. Big winners on the night included Corrine Bailey-Rae, Lemar, The Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Sean Paul and Beyoncé.

2006

In 2006 the awards ceremony was hosted by Coolio and Gina Yashere at The Royal Albert Hall. For the first time the World Music and Jazz categories were suspended. Corinne Bailey Rae won the prize for Best UK Newcomer. British rapper Akala won Best Hip Hop Act, beating stiff competition from American acts such as Kanye West, 50 Cent, and The Game.

2007

The 2007 awards ceremony was broadcast live on BBC Three from the O2 Arena in London and hosted by Shaggy and Jamelia. The jazz category returned. Shaggy opened the evening with a medley. T-Pain performed on stage with Yung Joc, Craig David and Kano collaborated on stage; Ne-Yo, Mutya Buena and Robin Thicke also performed. Amy Winehouse performed two songs and accepted the award for Best UK Female. N-Dubz won Best Newcomer. England cricketer Monty Panesar and England footballer Micah Richards were among a line up of guests presenting individual awards which also included Sinitta and Quentin Tarantino.

2009
Main article: MOBO Awards 2009

The 2009 awards event took place on 30 September at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow, the first time the MOBO awards show took place outside London. A tribute performance was dedicated to Michael Jackson, and the Young Soul Rebels performed their charity single "I Got Soul". Reggie Yates and Keri Hilson hosted the awards show, with Peter Andre presenting backstage.

2010

The awards ceremony took place on 20 October 2010 in Liverpool.[14]

2011

The awards show returned to Glasgow's SECC on 5 October 2011, hosted by Jason Derülo and Alesha Dixon. Jessie J won four awards, making her the biggest winner of the night. Boyz II Men received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Other winners included Rihanna, Tinie Tempah, Adele and Alborosie. Amy Winehouse was given an award and a special tribute, following her death in July 2011.

2012

The 17th Awards show took place on 3 November 2012 at the Liverpool Arena. Presented by Miquita Oliver and Adam Deacon - with backstage support from Rickie and Melvin - the night saw Trey Songz, Conor Maynard, Emeli Sandé, Misha B, JLS, Stooshe, Labrinth, Angel and Wiley perform.

Emeli Sandé won awards for Best Female, Best Album and Best R&B/Soul while Plan B took Best Male Act and Best Hip Hop/Grime. TLC were awarded Outstanding Contribution to Music, with Dionne Warwick receiving the MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award. The full list of winners where:

2013

The 18th Awards show took place on 19 October 2013 and was held at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow. It was hosted by Trevor Nelson and Sarah-Jane Crawford. Performances included Tinie Tempah, Iggy Azalea, Naughty Boy, Rudimental and Jahméne Douglas.

Winners

2014

The 19th Awards show took place on 22 October 2014 and was held at The SSE Arena in London. It was hosted by Mel B and Sarah-Jane Crawford. It was broadcast live on ITV2 for the first time.

Performances
  • Professor Green feat Tori Kelly - Lullaby
  • Jessie J feat Kid Ink - Bang Bang + Burnin' Up
  • Krept & Konan & The All Stars - Don't Waste My Time
  • Fekky & Meridan Dan - Still Sittin Here + German Whip
  • Candi Staton & Little Simz - You've Got The Love
  • Jeremih feat Krept & Konan - Don't Tell 'Em
  • Ella Eyre - Comeback
  • Nicole Scherzinger - On The Rocks
  • Gorgon City Feat. MNEK & Jess Glynne - Ready For Your Love + Right Here

Winners

2015

The 20th Awards show took place on 4 November 2015 and was held at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.[15] The show was broadcast live on ITV2 and hosted by Sarah-Jane Crawford.

Performances
  • Ella Eyre - Even If
  • Krept & Konan - Do It for the Gang, Certified + Freak of the Week
  • Lianne La Havas - Unstoppable
  • Naughty Boy - Running Lose It All
  • Rita Ora - Body on Me + Poison
  • Section Boyz - Trapping Ain't Dead
  • FKA twigs - Figure 8 + In Time
  • Fuse ODG - Million Pound Girl (Badder Than Bad) + Dangerous Love
  • Shakka - Say Nada
  • CeeLo Green - Music to My Soul, Crazy + Forget You

Winners

2016

The 21st Awards show took place on 4 November 2016 and was held at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow. The show was broadcast live on ITV2 and hosted by Rickie Haywood Williams and Melvin Odoom.

Tinie Tempah was due to perform, but pulled out hours before the show. He was replaced by Professor Green.

An error saw the wrong act given the award for Best Song. "Of the many worthy winners of best song, we deeply regret a mistake was made," said Mobo organisers, in a statement blaming a "production error."

Performances
  • Laura Mvula - Ready Or Not (Here I Come)
  • Lady Leshurr - Queen's Speech + Where Are You Now?
  • Craig David - Rewind + Fill Me In + 16 + When The Bassline Drops + Nothing Like This
  • Chase & Status ft Tom Grennan & Frisco - All Goes Wrong + Funny
  • WSTRN - In2
  • Clean Bandit ft Anne-Marie - Rockabye
  • Izzy Bizu - Mad Behaviour
  • Professor Green - One Eye On The Door
  • Popcaan ft Sneakbo - Only Man She Wants + Too Cool
  • Fekky ft Section Boyz - Madting, Sadting

Winners

2017

The MOBO Awards 2017 took place at Leeds First Direct Arena on November 29. Stormzy won three awards while Stefflon Don's award made her the only female winner on the night.[16]

Criticism

The MOBOs have faced criticism for having become increasingly oriented towards "commercial" urban music, and having given nominations and awards to musicians who are not black.[17][18] In 2003, a boycott effort emerged after the American pop musicians Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera won the awards for Best R&B Act and Best Video respectively. The Independent described the wins as being the result of the "white appropriation of black music".[17] A MOBO spokesperson defended their presence, stating that the awards were designed to honour achievements in music of black origin, regardless of the ethnicity of their performers, and cited the increasing worldwide growth of urban music at the time.[17]

In 2006, DJ and music journalist Bigger wrote that the presentation had been "veering away from its concept of rewarding music of black origin" as early as its third edition, noting its increasing dominance by American acts at the expense of domestic acts. He argued that the show had become "little more than a pat on the back and a jolly boys' outing for major labels and American acts."[19]

In 2011, Lanre Bakare wrote in The Guardian that the show was being affected by the music industry's dilution of the distinctive black music scene, promoting it to mainstream audiences as popular music (including "manufactured", U.S.-style hip-hop and R&B). In the column, it was noted that Labrinth had criticized the nominations of Conor Maynard and Ed Sheeran for awards, while Charlie Dark of Attica Blues argued that the MOBOs needed to promote innovation in black music, and "shouldn't be an annual event where everyone pats themselves on the back for very small advances that they've made, when they are powerful enough to bring real change. If they don't adapt, artists who aren't interested in commercial pop and being put in musical boxes will just do their own thing."[18]

In 2020, English rock duo Nova Twins wrote an open letter on Twitter addressed to the MOBOs concerning the fact that there was no Rock/Alternative category, despite the fact that many POC have contributed to the evolution of rock music, and still are to this day, and hoping "that a Rock/Alternative category will be added to the MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Awards in 2021, recognising the POC contributors to the genre.".[20] The MOBOS later replied on Twitter that "the MOBO Awards Judging Panel have actually discussed this and [...] will continue to review potential category expansions for future Award ceremonies.[21]

See also

References
  1. "1996: The Beginning - with Tony Blair, Lionel Richie, The Fugees,,, - MOBO Awards". www.mobo.com. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  2. "MOBO Awards to return to London for 2014 ceremony". NME. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  3. "CHANNEL 5 CONFIRMED AS OFFICIAL BROADCASTER OF THE 2017 MOBO AWARDS". www.mobo.com. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  4. Savage, Mark (25 September 2018). "Mobo awards take 'gap year' to plan future". BBC News. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  5. "MOBO Awards coming back for 2020". BBC News. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  6. Bekoe, Wendi (13 October 2013). "MOBO ACKNOWLEDGES: 17 YEARS OF AWARD SHOW HOSTS". MOBO. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  7. Inc, Nielsen Business Media (7 December 1996). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 26 September 2017 – via Google Books.
  8. Inc, Nielsen Business Media (15 November 1997). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 12. Retrieved 26 September 2017 – via Internet Archive. mobo awards carlton television 1997 broadcast.
  9. Parker, Rebecca (26 October 2016). "Breakfast radio royalty Rickie and Melvin unveiled as hosts for 2016 MOBO Awards in Glasgow". glasgowlive.co.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  10. Gamer, George (23 November 2017). "MOBO Awards 2017 reveal hosts and live performers". musicweek.com. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  11. "MOBO Awards to return to First Direct Arena in Leeds". BBC News. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  12. http://mobo.com/news/mobo-awards-returns-9-december
  13. "Growing up Gay in Jamaica". BBC News. 15 September 2004. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  14. "MOBO Lands In Liverpool!". MOBO. 19 October 2010. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
  15. "MOBO Awards 2015 will take place in Leeds!". MOBO. 31 August 2015. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  16. "Here's Everything That Happened At The MOBO Awards 2017". Capital XTRA. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  17. "Boycott call as white acts win music prizes". The Independent. 26 September 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  18. Bakare, Lanre (4 November 2012). "The Mobos' real problem is not being too white: it's being too commercial". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  19. "Are the Mobos good for black music?". BBC News. 20 September 2006.
  20. https://twitter.com/NovaTwinsMusic/status/1333384207658344448
  21. https://twitter.com/MOBOAwards/status/1333439389901459459
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