With five nominations, London-based rapper and producer Knucks leads the 25th anniversary of the Mobo Awards ceremony. Little Simz, who won the Mercury Prize for album of the year, and Central Cee are closely behind with four nods each.
To recognize black talent in such genres, this year’s show will also include two new categories: best alternative act and best dance/electronic act.
On November 30, the live ceremony will be placed in London. Acts including Skunk Anansie, Eliza Rose, and Nia Archives are among those nominated in this year’s new alternative and dance/electronic categories.
The Nova Twins, who have referred to the introduction of the new categories as “a major win,” are also nominated.
The group, which consists of Georgia South and Amy Love, requested in an open letter to the Mobos judging panel in 2020 that they take into consideration adding an alternative music category.
“We believe this new category helps give future musicians more options, allowing them to be whatever type of musician they want to be, whether it be in Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop, Punk, R&B, or everywhere in between,” they continued.
Drake, Chris Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Jazmine Sullivan, and Beyoncé are among the ten performers competing for the title of best international talent.
In addition to Big Zuu, KSI, Mo Gilligan, Munya Chawawa, and Nella Rose, nominees for outstanding media personality include Daniel Kaluuya, who won a Bafta for his portrayal in the film Nope, Lashana Lynch from No Time to Die, and Kane Robinson from Top Boy.
Wizkid, Dave, and Ghetts were among the big winners at last year’s awards, which were televised as a live show for the first time since 2017.
After receiving nominations for album of the year, best male act, best hip-hop act, and video of the year, and as a featured artist on Kojey Radical’s Payback, Knucks is looking to repeat their success.
When his debut album Alpha Place was released earlier this year, it garnered praise from critics for its fusion of rap and jazz.
Little Simz is up for awards in the categories of best hip-hop act, best female act, and album of the year. The Mobos’ best rookie from the previous year, Central Cee, is up for awards for the best male act, best drill act, song, and video of the year.
Additionally nominated in various categories are Kojey Radical, Headie One, and Miraa May.
At the announcement of the nominees, Kojey spoke with BBC’s Sharihan Al-Akhras and said: “I appreciate the nomination.
“I’ve been following the Mobos since I was a young child, so to still be taken into consideration confirms that I’m on the right track.
They’re doing the right thing by adding these new categories since it gives up-and-coming young artists many possibilities.
The Mobos website’s voting is already open, and hosts and artists should be revealed in the upcoming weeks.
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