Latest news with #MOBO
BBC News
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Black Welsh Music Awards: 'We're launching our own MOBOs'
A new set of awards has been launched to recognise the work of black Welsh artists. The Black Welsh Music Awards aim to become "the Welsh Mobos" – Music of Black Origin Awards – and elevate artists in a variety of genres including Afrobeats, grime and reggae, and will have a category for nominations for a best Welsh language track. Benji Webbe, frontman of reggae metal band Skindred, is the only black Welsh artist to win a Mobo, winning Best Alternative Act in the 2024 awards have been described as "long overdue" by artists and organisers. Webbe said he felt the Mobos, which started in 1996, do not go far enough to celebrate Welsh talent."There should be a Celtic category," he said. He said winning the Mobo led to bigger things for the band, including headlining at Wembley Arena."The prestige of winning the Mobo was lovely. After winning anything it gives you notoriety the world over and it does help you." The Newport artist said he was "very excited" to see the new Black Welsh Music Awards unfold – but added it had to be done right. He said: "Black Welsh music awards will help the community as long as [the organisers] do it well – they need to make sure they do their research to find out who's been grafting without a record deal for the last 20 years. "It has to be about the small guys, not a 'luvvie' event with lots of people patting each other on the back."Everyone nominated needs to be celebrated, not just those who win. Being nominated in the first place is a wonderful thing." Professor Uzo Iwobi CBE, co-founder of the new awards, said the "unique Welsh landscape" of black artists needed to be celebrated."We thought MOBO would filter down to Wales in the form of fringe events, exposure and raising of Welsh artists. That hasn't really happened. So we're growing our own organically," she said. She added that the event is "about representation, celebration and legacy". "Our Wales-based MOBO musicians are making history and we're inviting everyone to be part of it. Our time is now," she said. Singer-songwriter Molara Awen, best known for starring in S4C's Welsh language programme Gogglebocs, said the awards were a "very important initiative" for the music industry in Wales."Black music is as old as the origins of humankind, from the talking drum to the balafon, the kora to the orutu," she said. "We hear much of xylophones, harps and violins, but very little of the instruments which preceded them by centuries."Singer and composer Dionne Bennett said the awards were not just about "accolades" but about supporting black artists in their careers. "It's about building an infrastructure," she first Black Welsh Music Awards will be held in October, with nominations now open.
Euronews
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Central Cee makes MOBO history by becoming first artist to win Best Male Act three times
Central Cee has made history at the MOBO Awards, which celebrate Black music and culture, becoming the first artist to win Best Male Act three times. The West London rapper now holds seven MOBO trophies - tying with Stormzy as the most decorated rapper in the awards' history. His reaction? Understated as ever. While not present at the ceremony, which took place in Newcastle, he posted a screenshot of the announcement on Instagram, captioning it: 'that's nice.' Last month, Cench dropped his highly anticipated debut album, Can't Rush Greatness, which debuted at No.1 on the UK Albums Chart (read our review of it here). He's also up for three BRIT Awards, including Best Artist and Song of the Year. Bashy, returning after a 15-year hiatus, took home Best Album and Best Hip-Hop Act. Darkoo beat out heavyweights like Raye and Jorja Smith to claim Best Female Act, while Nigerian star Ayra Starr made history as the first African woman to win Best International Act and the first woman in 16 years to take home Best African Music Act. Meanwhile, dancehall legend Vybz Kartel, recently freed after his murder conviction was overturned, was honoured with the MOBO Impact Award - and he's already gearing up for a major comeback, with a Wireless Festival performance confirmed for this summer. Other genre awards saw 2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective named Best Jazz Act, Scorcher win Best Grime Act, Pozer take Best Drill Act, and TSHA claim Best Electronic/Dance Act. FULL LIST OF MOBO 2025 WINNERS: Best male act - Central Cee Best female act - Darkoo Best newcomer - Odeal Album of the year - Bashy, Being Poor Is Expensive Song of the year - Darkoo feat. Dess Dior, Favourite Girl Video of the year - Mnelia, My Man Best hip-hop act - Bashy Best grime act - Scorcher Best drill act - Pozer Best R&B/Soul act - Odeal Best media personality - 90s baby show Best African music act - Ayra Starr Best performance in a TV show/ film - Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With The Vampire Best electronic/ dance music act - TSHA Best gospel act - Annatoria Best jazz act - Ezra Collective Best producer - Juls Best Caribbean music act - Shenseea Best alternative music act - ALT BLK ERA Best international act - Ayra Starr MOBO paving the way award - Denise Lewis MBE MOBO impact award - Vybz Kartel
BBC News
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ayra Starr become first woman to win Mobo best African music award in 16 years
Nigerian superstar musician Ayra Starr don becom di first woman wey go carry di award for best African music for di Mobo Awards in di last 16 years. Di singer also gbab di award for best music act, as di first woman ever to do am, for di ceremony wey happen for Newcastle. As she collect di award, Ayra Starr acknowledge di fact say na her first Mobo win. She tok say, "Dis dey nice. Dis na my first Mobo and na di first time wey I dey win Mobo awards. I dey shake now sef, I dey nervous. "Thank you to every one wey support me. Thank you to my team, my amazing Mobstars, my amazing brother wey I dey follow make music wit, di producers for studio, my studio partners in crime, my label, Mavin records. Shout out to my mummy!!!" Apart from Ayra Starr, rapper Central Cee also make history for Mobo as di first artist wey dem go name as best male act three times. E don also match Stormzy record as di most decorated rapper for di award history. MOBO or as dem dey call am, Music of Black Origin, na joinbodi wey dey celebrate black pipo music. Di founder of di joinbodi na Kanya King wey borrow money on top her house to start am. Na Ghanaian papa and Irish mama born Madam King wey bin start to make money for her family at di age of 17. Di British award show bin start for 1996 and don host plenti artists wey include Beyonce, Rihanna, Sade, Lionel Richie among odas. Di Awards claim say dem don help di career of artistes like Stormzy, Craig David and Rita Ora. Dis year na di first award show since, Kenya King find out say she get stage four bowel cancer. She bin come stage to collect surprise award and tok for her speech say she bin dey very grateful "becos time bin dey wen I tink day I no go make am". She add say, "next year dey mark our 30th anniversary, and I wan make sure say I dey dia." MOBO 2025 winners full list Best male act - Central Cee Best female act - Darkoo Best newcomer - Odeal Album of the year - Bashy, Being Poor Is Expensive Song of the year - Darkoo feat. Dess Dior, Favourite Girl Video of the year - Mnelia, My Man Best hip-hop act - Bashy Best grime act - Scorcher Best drill act - Pozer Best R&B/Soul act - Odeal Best media personality - 90s baby show Best African music act - Ayra Starr Best performance in a TV show/ film - Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With The Vampire Best electronic/ dance music act - TSHA Best gospel act - Annatoria Best jazz act - Ezra Collective Best producer - Juls Best Caribbean music act - Shenseea Best alternative music act - ALT BLK ERA Best international act - Ayra Starr MOBO paving the way award - Denise Lewis MBE MOBO impact award - Vybz Kartel
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince's Purple Rain debut film joins Newcastle's MOBO celebrations
Films celebrating Black musicians on film are being featured at a city cinema as part of the MOBO Awards fringe festival. As Newcastle gears up for the big awards night - an event billed as Europe's biggest celebration of Black music and culture - which it be hosting this Tuesday for the first time, excitement is building about its line-up of nominees and special guests. And, as previously reported, a fringe festival is also taking place around it to keep that momentum going. The city centre's Tyneside Cinema has also joined forces with the MOBO fringe festival, with its own focus upon Black music talent - this time in film. And on its Original Genius programme this February will be the iconic 1984 rock musical Purple Rain which starred Prince in his acting debut. READ MORE: The 7 best cheap holiday destinations from Newcastle Airport in March 2025 READ MORE: Blaydon Premier Inn applies for 20-room expansion and new breakfast venue The late artist - who later changed his stage name to a symbol which couldn't be pronounced so he was usually referred to as 'the artist formerly known as Prince - went on to win an Oscar for best original song score for the film's soundtrack which included the likes of Let's Go Crazy and the specially-written When Doves Cry. Get all the latest updates on food, drink, entertainment and events in the North East with our free What's On newsletter It has been described as one of the greatest soundtracks of all time. Now fans will be able to re-live the Purple Rain experience at Tyneside Cinema on February 23 and 27 when there will be screenings at 5pm and 3pm respectively, and there is still some ticket availability. The Tyneside's Original Genius programme of 'ground-breaking artists and iconic performances' also includes Summer of Soul this Monday, a documentary featuring long-lost footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, and Space is the Place - a sci-fi blend of concept album and film by Sun Ra - on Wednesday. The cinema also has been running Beyond the Screen: a programme of MOBO-inspired workshops intended to encourage young people to create music videos, with involvement from local experts from filmmakers to producers, editors and designers. For more about Tyneside Cinema see here and find all MOBO Awards coverage here.
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Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Central Cee makes history at MOBO Awards with record-breaking win
Central Cee has made history at the MOBO Awards, becoming the first artist to be named Best Male Act three times. The UK rapper, also known as Cench, now matches Stormzy's record as the most decorated rapper in the MOBOs' history, securing his seventh award. Despite his major achievement, Central Cee did not attend the ceremony in Newcastle. Host Eddie Kadi accepted the award on his behalf, joking that they 'share everything… except royalties.' Reacting to his win on Instagram, Cench shared a simple caption: 'that's nice.' Other big winners of the night included Darkoo, who claimed Best Female Act, beating out Raye and Jorja Smith. She also won Song of the Year for Favourite Girl, her collaboration with Dess Dior. During her acceptance speech, Darkoo humorously admitted she had attempted to use ChatGPT to write her speech but opted to freestyle instead, thanking her family for their support. Bashy made a triumphant return to music after a 15-year break, winning Album of the Year for Being Poor Is Expensive and Best Hip-Hop Act. The artist, known for his acting career, reflected on his journey, encouraging aspiring musicians to persevere despite challenges. Ayra Starr made history as the first African woman to win Best International Act and became the first female artist in 16 years to claim Best African Music Act. Vybz Kartel received the MOBO Impact Award, addressing his incarceration and recent legal battles while accepting the honor. MOBO founder Kanya King, recently diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, received a surprise Paving the Way Award. She expressed gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to celebrating Black music, announcing plans for the MOBOs' 30th anniversary next year. Full List of Winners:
