Last night the Manchester Eco arena was set blaze by the 15th anniversary of the MOBO awards. Founded in 1996 by CEO Kanya King the MOBOs were the very first awards show in Europe to celebrate urban music. Over 15 years it has grown to be one of Europe’s power house awards shows hosting acts like Janet Jackson, The Fugees, Amy Winehouse, Jay-Z, Estelle, Destiny’s child, Dizzee Rascal, Chipmunk, Usher, Tina Turner and Justine Timberlake to name a few .
This year’s awards proved to live up to its 14 year legacy in the level of talent , production of the show and of course the performances. Tiny Tempah and JLS were big winners on the night each picking up 2 awards. Tiny won best song and best video for his #1 record “Pass Out” that dominated the summer its video could have easily held it’s owned amongst the worldwide heavy weights at the VMA’s. JLS won best album for the self entitled LP among other nominees; “Plan B – the Defamation of Strickland Banks” “N-Dubz – Against All Odds” “Chipmunk – I Am Chipmunk” and “Dizzee Rascal – Tongue in Cheek” this highlights the debate of whether awards should be given on the basses of the public vote or the award show board of industry executives? The public tend to vote for the personal favourite act rather than the act that produced the best quality music.
The show was opened by Mark Ronson and Business International performing their techno 70’s disco inspired hit “Bang Bang Bang”. Joined by Roll Deep to perform “Money in my Pocket” the two acts mixed perfectly to contrasted the strobe lights of dance and grit of grime based crews that perfectly depicts the nature of the awards show.
Raggie Yates and Alisha Dixon co-hosted the main stage while the members of N-Dubz hosted pre and post interviews back stage which gave an uncensored experience of what goes on back stage at an awards show in true N-Dubz style.
The first act to be presented with an award was Professor Green who won best Hip Hop the award that was presently by a member of the most famous family in the world the Jacksons. Jermaine Jackson dressed in his Arabic inspired suit stated “I’m so happy to be here at the mobile awards”....Right. Best new comer award that was won by JLS in 2009 was awarded to Tiny Temper who has had a #1 album “Disc-overy” and #1 single “Pass out”
The second performance of the night was a high energy well rehearsed and directed performance by one of the UK most popular groups N-dubz who have recently signed a state side deal was Island Def Jam . Performing their new single Bad Behaviour the recording process of this single was seen during their reality show “Being N-Dubz”. Fazer opened there performance on a baby grand piano stripping the song down to its melody’s Dappy of course brought the energy while Tulisa provided the harmonies although it wasn’t her strongest vocal performance they had the loudest applause of the night. After their performance the group when back stage and interviewed UK Cash Money/ Young Money artist Jay Sean about their transformation into the US music scene and the essential care package needed to survive in LA including; PG Tips, Rich Tea and Nob Nob biscuits and Nando’s sauce.
England proved too all international viewers that we are a nation of football lovers when two Everton football players were welcomed to the stage with Boo’s and jeers from a stadium full of home Liverpool supporters priceless looks of disgust were plastered on the face of Liverpool players sitting in the audience after there defeat earlier that week. Finally the audience subdued long enough for them to present the well deserved award for best R’n’B act to Plan B for his album “the Defamation of Strickland Banks”.
Best Gospel act was won by Guvna B he represents the new generation of gospel artist that blends the traditional message with the language and hard edge of UK hip hop. Guvna B is represented by Black Grape Productions London based company that host acts such as 2008 Jazz award winner Yolanda Brown and provides a venue for musicians and comics to display their talents.
Not all awards are handed to acts that lead with a trail of paparazzi behind them. The BeMOBO award was formed to honour organisations’ that are the unsung heroes working to uplift the community at the grass root level. This years’ honouree was Merseyside Dance Initiative in Liverpool. MDIs’ aim is to inspire the people of Merseyside of all ages and cultures though dance members have formed groups that develop local talent such as ; Merseyside Youth Dance Company, Dance and & Health, African Peoples Dance and LEAP Year Dance.
The MOBOs’ life time achievement award was presented to legendary Trinidad born and British raised artist Billy Ocean by veteran DJ Trevor Nelson. Billy Oceans career spans over 50 years and boasts a Grammy award, 50 million records sold and a catalogue that stores hit’s such as “Caribbean Queen” “Can We Go Round Again? “ “When the going gets tough, the tough get’s going” and the theme tune of the film The Jewel of the Nine “Love really hurts without you”. Billy Ocean continues to produce albums and tour worldwide.
She show was closed by Tinchy Strider smoke, heart stuttering base and pyrotechnics in a performance of his new single Gone. The performance met its climax when he was joined by leading UK hip hop acts Gigg’s , Professor Green and Tiny Temper. People who had never known Channel U existed or listened to a song that had more than 60 BPM were bouncing around in their front rooms enjoying this performance.
In the MOBO’s 15 years it has proved its stance in showcasing and awarding the best young urban talent the UK as to offer, growing its brand into an internationally recognised award show.
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