Simbiatu Ajikawo, known professionally as Little Simz, and Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., known professionally as Stormzy, have received the most nominations for the 2024 Music of Black Origin (Mobo) awards. These awards honor and recognize Black music in the United Kingdom and globally.
Both Stormzy and Little Simz have been nominated for album of the year with their ambitious and heartfelt rap LPs: “This Is What I Mean” for Stormzy and “No Thank You” for Little Simz, which was released as a surprise. They are also both nominated in gender-specific artist categories, and Stormzy is also up for video of the year while Little Simz is one of the 10 nominees for best hip-hop act.
Raye, a popular musician, has experienced a revival in her career. Despite being abandoned by a big record label for several years, she took matters into her own hands and independently released her album My 21st Century Blues, which was met with great success. One of the tracks from the album, Escapism, even reached No 1. She has also been recognized with nominations in three categories: artist of the year, album of the year, and song of the year. J Hus, another nominee for album of the year, along with PinkPantheress and Central Cee, each received three nominations as well.
The jazz group Ezra Collective, winners of this year’s Mercury prize, may also receive a nomination for album of the year. Completing the category is Potter Payper, whose album Real Back in Style reached the No 2 spot on the charts while he was serving time at Pentonville prison in London – he has since been released.
This year’s lineup for the song of the year award features four collaborations between top artists: J Hus and Drake, Central Cee and Dave, PinkPantheress and Ice Spice, and Raye and 070 Shake. They will be competing with Stormzy’s Hide & Seek and Jorja Smith’s popular summer hit Little Things. Smith is also recognized for best female act, along with Raye, PinkPantheress, Little Simz, R&B singer Mahalia, and girl group Flo.
Central Cee and Dave are both nominated for the best male act award, even though they worked together on a highly successful EP and had a popular song, Sprinter. The category also includes J Hus and Stormzy, along with Nines and D-Block Europe, who are both rappers. Nines has suggested that he may retire from music.
The inaugural Mobo awards ceremony will be held in Sheffield. Kanya King, the founder of the awards, stated that Sheffield’s distinguishing feature is its vibrant underground scene, brimming with undiscovered talent. Through community outreach efforts, the Mobo awards aim to connect with and elevate this underground scene.
Along with the current honorary recognitions of Paving the Way and lifetime achievement, two new awards will be introduced: Mobo Impact and Mobo Pioneer.
The ceremony, established in 1996, is scheduled for 7 February and will be televised on BBC One.
Mobo award nominations 2024
Best male act
Central Cee
Dave
D-Block Europe
J Hus
Nines
Stormzy
Best female act
Flo
Jorja Smith
Little Simz
Mahalia
PinkPantheress
Raye
Best album of the year
I am meant to be at Ezra Collective – Where I Belong.
J Hus – Beautiful and Brutal Yard
“Thank You Not Needed” by Little Simz
Potter Payper’s Resurgence in the Music Scene
Raye’s song “My 21st Century Blues”
Stormzy’s message is conveyed in the title “This Is What We Mean”.
:
Rewritten: The top song of the year.
Sprinter by Central Cee and Dave
The song “Who Told You” by J Hus featuring Drake.
Jorja Smith – Little Things
PinkPantheress & Ice Spice – Boy’s a Liar Pt 2
Raye & 070 Shake – Escapism
Stormzy – Hide & Seek
Best newcomer
Ama Lou
AntsLive
Debbie
Jayo
Nippa
No Guidnce
Rimzee
Strandz
Tamera
Tunde
Top video of the year
AntsLive – Number One Candidate (dir Tom Emmerson)
The title of the film is “Enny – No More Nigerian Men” directed by Otis Dominique.
Jords – Dirt in the Diamond EP1: Mobay ft Tay Iwar / Stay Close ft Kranium (dir Renee Maria Osubu)
The music video for “Gorilla” by Little Simz was directed by Dave Meyers.
The title “Mel Made Me Do It” is a music video directed by Klvdr and performed by Stormzy.
Tion Wayne – Healing (dir Wowa)
in 2019
The top performer in the R&B/soul genre for the year 2019.
Bellah
Jaz Karis
Mahalia
Ragz Originale
Sampha
Sault
Best hip-hop act
Avelino
Clavish
Digga D
Enny
Fredo
Giggs
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Nines
Potter Payper
Best grime act
Bugzy Malone
Duppy
Flowdan
Manga Saint Hilare
Novelist
P Money
Best drill act
Central Cee
Headie One
K-Trap
Kwengface
M24
Russ Millions
TeeZandos
Unknown T
Top global artist (United States)
Doja Cat
Drake & 21 Savage
Travis Scott
Ice Spice
Latto
Lil Uzi Vert
Nicki Minaj
Sexyy Red
SZA
Victoria Monét
Top performance in a television show or movie.
Reworded: “Dreaming Whilst Black” by Adjani Salmon
Damson Idris – Snowfall
Deja J Bowens – Champion
Idris Elba – Hijack
India Amarteifio – Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
John Boyega – They Cloned Tyrone
Lashana Lynch stars in “The Woman King.”
Best media personality
Alison Hammond
Amelia Dimoldenberg
Henrie Kwushue
Madame Joyce
Maya Jama
Pressed podcast
Remi Burgz
ShxtsnGigs
Specs Gonzalez
Zeze Millz
Top African musical performer
Adekunle Gold
Asake
Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Davido
Libianca
Rema
Tyla
Uncle Waffles
Wizkid
Top performer in Caribbean music
Byron Messia
Destra
Kabaka Pyramid
Popcaan
Shenseea
Valiant
Best jazz act
Blue Lab Beats
Cktrl
Ezra Collective
Masego
Reuben James
Yazmin Lacey
The top choice for alternative music performance
Alt Blk Era
Arlo Parks
Deijuvhs
Kid Bookie
Skindred
Young Fathers
The top performer in the electronic/dance genre.
Aluna
Nia Archives
PinkPantheress
Salute
Shygirl
Tsha
Best producer
Info
Kyle Evans
M1onTheBeat
P2J
Steel Banglez
TSB
Best gospel act
Annatoria
CalledOut Music
Guvna B
Limoblaze
Tofunmi Adorna
Triple O
Source: theguardian.com
