MOBO Awards: The winners are ….

THE MOBO Awards made a huge comeback tonight with a virtual ceremony, hosted by Maya Jama and Chunkz, live-streamed on YouTube (watch here: youtube.com/mobotvofficial) and broadcast on BBC One at 10.45pm, with a highlights special on BBC iPlayer tonight.

This wasn’t just an Awards show, this is an empowering show with a purpose that represents opportunity over inequality, that represents pride for an audience that often feels marginalised, that represents achievement against all odds

MOBO Awards founder, Kanya King

In a show like no other taking place in a year like no other, the UK’s biggest celebration of Black music reclaimed its power with a 90-minute spectacle that recognised the hottest new talent from around the globe, with some special performances that encapsulated the strength and pride of Black voices that underpinned 2020.

London rapper Nines received a whopping five nominations this year and took home the prestigious Album of The Year for Crabs In A Bucket, seeing off steep competition from Stormzy, J Hus, Lianne La Havas and Mahalia.

In what feels like the perfect wrap-up to a winning year which saw him also score his first UK No.1 album, Nines was also crowned Best Hip Hop Act tonight, after first being nominated for this category at the MOBO Awards three years ago.

The ‘King of Drill’ Headie One loomed large at this year’s ceremony where he took home the coveted Best Male Act.

The Tottenham-born rapper also locked in a slick medley performance of ‘Bumpy Ride’ with M Huncho and ‘Teach Me’, taken from his UK No. 1 debut album Edna.

He also teamed up with Young T & Bugsey on the show for a performance of their smash ‘Don’t Rush’.

Mahalia scooped up Best Female Act (in association with ISAWITFIRST) and Best R&B/Soul Act – her first major music awards win following a consistently noteworthy rise in recent years.

The Leicestershire-born rising star released her debut album, Love and Compromise, in 2019 which includes ‘Shimmer’ (featuring Burna Boy) and ‘What You Did’ (featuring Ella Mai).

In the hugely popular public voted categories, Mancunion rapper Aitch wins Best Newcomer (in association with Arts Council England) and while Nottingham duo Young T & Bugsey take home Song of The Year for their global viral hit ‘Don’t Rush’ (featuring Headie One).

Nigerian music stars conquered the 2020 MOBO Awards with Burna Boy winning Best International Act and Wizkid scoring Best African Act (in association with Afrozons). The ceremony also featured two Afrobeats royalties – Davido and Tiwa Savage – delivering stellar performances, filmed outside the UK especially for the night.

Davido, who took home Best African Act in 2017, brought joyful vibes with his performances of ‘The Best’ and ‘FEM’ from his latest album A Better Time. Tiwa Savage brought powerhouse African queen energy to the stage performing her medley of hits ‘Koroba’ and ‘Dangerous Love’.

Acclaimed British filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen CBE was honoured with MOBO’s Inspiration Award tonight.

The London-born director behind 12 Years A Slave, Hunger and Small Axe joins a prestigious line-up of past recipients of this award including Idris Elba OBE.

McQueen said: “This is an extraordinary prize. Thank you so much. The MOBO Awards for me is part of the idea of Small Acts.

“When people didn’t want to recognise us, we recognised ourselves and that’s given me the inspiration to go forward.”

Kanya King, MOBO founder said: “I feel very proud about this year’s show which will go down in history because of its unique commentary and set of circumstances.

“We will archive it for future generations to watch and learn about the times we are currently in.

“I want to thank the BBC and YouTube for working together, all for the greater good.

“This wasn’t just an Awards show, this is an empowering show with a purpose that represents opportunity over inequality, that represents pride for an audience that often feels marginalised, that represents achievement against all odds.

“There will be new artists watching the show and because of it, and their lives and those of their families may be forever changed. Roll on our 25^th anniversary next year – let’s get ready to MOBOLISE!”

2020 MOBO AWARDS WINNERS

BEST MALE ACT

HEADIE ONE

BEST FEMALE ACT
(IN ASSOCIATION WITH ISAWITFIRST)