MOBO’s on the move.

A lot has changed in the fifteen years since the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) awards were first launched in London. The commercially driven extravaganza is still considered by many to be the premier event within the Black & Multi Ethnic (BME) music industry.

Despite the ongoing success, the MOBO awards have faced critiscism within the community in recent years but we have been assured that efforts are being made to re build the relationship.

“We realise we have to forge greater links within the Black Multi-Ethnic (BME) media.” said a spokesperson in London last week.

Kanya King, CEO and Founder of MOBO said:

‘I am very proud of the level of talent in the UK today and extremely pleased with the dominance of  MOBO music artists in the charts both here and in the US, what a massive change compared to when we started 15 years ago! In the past year alone we have seen 2 out of every 3 number 1 hits was from urban artists! To commemorate our milestone year we are launching various new activities as part of MOBO Organisation’s ongoing growth’.

One of these activities, in its mission to support rising talent, is the first ever national MOBO Tour which includes a powerful line up of the hottest names on the UK underground circuit, hitting 6 major cities around the UK in October. Headlined by Best UK Hip Hop / Grime nominee Skepta, the 6 date tour will also see up & coming Brit acts Aggro Santos, Best Newcomer nominee Scorcher and Mz Bratt take to the stage.

Fashion and fun at the nominations party, who really stood out.

Pictures above: Nikki Sanderson, Egypt and Tulisa (NDubz).

Style Writer and celebrity Shoe Designer Dionne Gooding from Dionne Gooding shoes said:

Tulisa: looked absolutely stunning in neutral tones. She wore a cream Bandeau dress by River Island teamed with some grey peep toe shoes.

Egypt: looked lovely and bright. Her yellow pencil skirt combined with a floral bra top worked really well. Bra tops are a must have item for this season.

Sinitta: She has a fabulous figure but the dress, skin coloured bra, boots and weekend bag are all wrong!

Other celebs included the beautfiul Cherry V

Lisa Mafia

Sue Elise Nash

Preeya Kalidas

JLS support band RD (Rough Diamond)

Black Grape productions

The MOBO party ended early and as the stars headed home another party was just begining in the same venue.

Tulisa from NDubz got changed in super quick time and headed home.

VIP guests and Solo artists Sue Elise and Lisa Mafia, the night also ended early.

The Saturdays who were not part of the MOBO party were spotted heading out of the Mayfair Hotel.

Nikki Sanderson and others headed to nightclub Alto for the unofficial after-party

 

FANS CAN VOTE FOR THEIR FAVOURITE NOMINEES ON MOBO.COM

 Tinie Tempah, N-Dubz, Professor Green, Plan B and Dizzee Rascal lead with the most nominations at this year’s prestigious 2010 MOBO Awards in association with Lebara Mobile, once again highlighting British ‘MOBO Music’ domination of the UK’s singles chart and proving that MOBO music is now the UK mainstream.

Celebrating its 15^th year, the MOBO Awards has helped champion the extraordinary rise of urban music over the past two decades from niche to now leading the UK charts, and will celebrate the cream of British artists from the past year at its star-studded ceremony in Liverpool, on October 20^th.

In a year where British ‘MOBO Music’ talent has held number 1 spots in both the UK and the US, the significance of this genre keeps growing and growing with its influence clearly reflected in this year’s nominations as advised by The MOBO Awards’ independent music panel of top DJs, music editors, journalists, broadcasters and other key tastemakers in today’s music scene.

 South London rapper Tinie Tempah, leads this year’s nominations having exploded onto the music scene in 2010, earning himself a staggering 4 nominations for Best Newcomer, Best UK Act, Best Video and Best Song in association with PRSforMusic for his number 1 single “Pass Out”.

And it’s the boys who also dominate this year’s Best Newcomer category with UK rappers Tinie Tempah, Professor Green, Scorcher and Devlin battling it out with new UK singer Labrinth for the coveted title.

 This year MOBO has given a nod to UK Grime music’s unquestionable impact and growth within music over the past few years, now combining the Hip Hop category to make Best UK Hip Hop / Grime, which sees the likes of UK’s finest Giggs, Professor Green, Skepta, Akala and Roll Deep’s Wiley all head to head to win.

 The UK ladies certainly still get a look in though with Alexandra Burke, M.I.A. and Leona Lewis up for Best UK Act as well as Alesha Dixon fighting for Best Video in association with MTV Base, for her latest single ‘Drummer Boy’.

 To celebrate the 15^th anniversary of the MOBO Awards in the UK, this year’s Best UK Act in association with Lebara Mobile, Best International Act, and Best African Act will all start off with 15 nominations each, giving talent the chance to be voted into the ultimate top 5 within their chosen category.

 The Best International Act category is brimming with talent from across the globe with the likes of Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Drake and Jason Derulo all vying for the prestigious award.

 All of this year’s categories will be voted for by the public with the exception of both Best Jazz Act and Best Gospel Act – winners in these categories will be selected by specialists in these areas as part of the music panel.

 The public will now have their chance to vote for their favourites via www.mobo.com with the winners to be announced on 20^th October during the televised Awards Show live from Liverpool’s Echo Arena.