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.
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
