MOBO Awards recognize black musical talent

Last night, the 2017 MOBO Awards were held at Leeds Arena.

The MOBO Awards – standing for ‘Music of Black Origin’ – have been broadcast since 1996 with the purpose of recognizing and awarding artists of all backgrounds who perform black-originated genres of music. The most prestigious ceremony of its kind in the United Kingdom, the MOBOs can be compared to the American BET Awards in cultural significance.

Stormzy, the popular grime MC was the biggest winner of the night, collecting the awards for best grime act, best male artist, and best album for his top-selling Gang Signs & Prayer. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, made an appearance via recorded video message during the ceremony, and expressed his approval of Stormzy and other grime artists. “It’s more important than ever that we celebrate black excellence and recognise the achievements of black communities,” Corbyn remarked.

This year grime artists played a huge part in setting the agenda for British music and in the General Election, your contribution helped secure the highest youth turnout in a quarter of a century, showing the positive impact grime has on our society.”

Other big winners include J Hus for best song with the smash summer hit Did You See, Mistook for best video with big-budget project Hot Property, Giggs for best hip-hop act, and Dave for best newcomer. Many may know of Dave for his track Question Time – a song filled with criticism of Prime Minister Theresa May.

Stefflon Don was the only female winner of the night – indicating how pervasive gender-based hierarchy can be in even black-uplifting spaces – and took home the award for best female act. She was one of a star-studded list of performers for the night, accompanied by US rapping phenomenon Cardi Bi, London duo Krept & Kronan, and burgeoning MCs Yungen and Yxng Bane.

See the full list of 2017 MOBOs winners:

Best Male Act: Stormzy

Best Female Act: Stefflon Don

Best Album: Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer

Best Newcomer: Dave

Best Song: J Hus – Did You See

Best Video (in association with Link Up TV): Mist – Hot Property

Best Hip Hop Act: Giggs

Best Grime Act: Stormzy

BestR&B/Soul Act (supported by Mi-Soul): Craig David

Best International Act: Wizkid

Best African Act (in association with The Beat London 103.6FM): Davido

Best Reggae Act: Damian Marley

Best Jazz Act (supported by Jazz FM): Moses Boyd

Best Gospel Act (supported by Premier Gospel): Volney Morgan & New-Ye

Ayan Goran