Stormzy, Raye and Central Cee were among the artists honoured at the MOBO Awards in association with MOBOLISE on Wednesday night (07.02.24).
The ceremony, which was held for the first time at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena, celebrates excellence in Black music and culture.
Central Cee, 25, bagged himself two more prizes, Best Male Act and Song of The Year for ‘Sprinter’ with Dave, giving him a grand total of six MOBOs.
He now ties with Stormzy as the most-awarded rappers in MOBO history.
The Grime legend, 30, picked up Video of The Year for ‘Mel Made Me Do It’.
Raye, meanwhile, received her first MOBO of her career when she was crowned Best Female Act. It comes after the 26-year-old singer was nominated for a record-breaking seven BRIT Awards at the upcoming ceremony.
Album of the Year went to 33-year-old Potter Payper’s much-lauded debut album ‘Real Back In Style’, which reached number two on the Official Album Chart.
Little Simz, 29, won Best Hip Hop Act, R’n’B collective Sault were named Best R B Act, and jazz troupe Ezra Collective took home Best Jazz Act.
Elsewhere, Shygirl, 30, landed Best Dance/Electronic Act and Bugzy Malone, 33, took Best Grime Act.
A special honour went to Grime legend Ghetts, 39, who was presented with the MOBO Pioneer Award.
The evening was packed with epic performances from the latter performing his latest single ‘Double Standards’ (featuring Sampha) to MOBO Impact Award honourees Sugababes wowing with a medley of their hits, ‘Overload’, ‘Push The Button’ and ‘Freak Like Me’.
DJ Spoony celebrated 30 years of UK Garage with a nostalgic set, which featured Nay Nay performing ‘Body Groove’, MC Creed, MC Ranking, MC Viper, MC Maxwell D, Sabrina Washington of Mis-Teeq performing ‘Why?’, and So Solid Crew (MC Harvey, Kaish and Romeo) performing ‘21 Seconds’.
MOBO Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE said: “I’m still overjoyed by the celebration of black music and culture we witnessed last night at the 26th MOBO Awards in Sheffield. It’s become an instant classic in MOBO history. Since 1996, MOBO has been an unstoppable force, championing black culture, providing a platform for many unheard voices to be seen and heard, particularly in the city of Sheffield, leaving a legacy that will endure long after we are gone. Together, MOBO and our stellar array of talent elevated the scene to such heights and created a real landmark moment. Our hosts Indiyah, Babatunde and Zeze entertained us with such charisma, humour and passion. I also want to congratulate each and every winner, every nominee and performer, who all gave standout performances. You can watch it all again on YouTube and this Friday evening from the comfort of your sofa on BBC One, Access All Areas with DJ Target taking you behind the scenes. You don’t want to miss it!”
Former ‘Love Island’ star Indiyah Polack and comedian Babatunde Aleshe hosted the bash.
The full winners list:
BEST MALE ACT – CENTRAL CEE
BEST FEMALE ACT IN ASSOCIATION WITH SHEAMOISTURE – RAYE
ALBUM OF THE YEAR – POTTER PAYPER – ‘REAL BACK IN STYLE’
SONG OF THE YEAR SUPPORTED BY BBC RADIO 1XTRA – CENTRAL CEE AND DAVE – ‘SPRINTER’
BEST NEWCOMER IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NEW MOVIE ‘BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE’ – TUNDE
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – STORMZY – ‘MEL MADE ME DO IT’ (DIRECTED BY KLVDR)
BEST R’N’B/SOUL ACT – SAULT
BEST HIP HOP ACT – LITTLE SIMZ
BEST GRIME ACT – BUGZY MALONE
BEST DRILL ACT SUPPORTED BY TRENCH – K-TRAP
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT (US) – DRAKE and 21 SAVAGE
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW/FILM – DAMSON IDRIS AS FRANKLIN SAINT in ‘SNOWFALL’
BEST MEDIA PERSONALITY SUPPORTED BY BET UK – SHXTSNGIGS
BEST AFRICAN MUSIC ACT IN ASSOCIATION WITH LOCO MUSIC – ASAKE
BEST CARIBBEAN MUSIC ACT – VALIANT
BEST JAZZ ACT SUPPORTED BY JAZZ FM – EZRA COLLECTIVE
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT IN ASSOCIATION WITH MARSHALL – SKINDRED
BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ACT SUPPORTED BY BEMA AND MIXMAG – SHYGIRL
BEST PRODUCER SUPPORTED BY COMPLEX UK – INFLO
BEST GOSPEL ACT SUPPORTED BY PREMIER GOSPEL – LIMOBLAZE
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – SOUL II SOUL
IMPACT AWARD – SUGABABES
PAVING THE WAY AWARD – DAME JESSICA ENNIS-HILL
PIONEER AWARD – GHETTS