Little Simz, Dave and Ghetts win big at the MOBO Awards
Drill was given long-awaited recognition during the awards with the first Best Drill Act category
Dave, Little Simz, and Ghetts have all been given top honours at this year’s MOBO Awards ceremony, which took place on Sunday in Coventry.
The 24th edition of the Music Of Black Origin Awards (MOBO) went ahead this weekend giving recognition to Black British artists and genres of Black origin, including drill, R&B, hip hop, grime, jazz, and gospel.
This year, Dave took the top prize after winning Best Album of 2021 for ‘We're All Alone In This Together’, his second-ever full-length release.
Read this next: MOBO founder Kanya King: "Racism is the worst pandemic"
Little Simz made her first MOBO win this year with Best Female Act honours, while Ghetts took home the prize for the Best Male Act.
"I weren't even expecting this, it's been such a journey," he said while collecting the award. After the event, Ghetts tweeted: “We brought it home my people, thank you for your support as always, this year just keeps getting better and gratitude is a must.”
The event, which took place on Sunday, December 5, was the first MOBO Awards to go ahead in person since 2017. Among the top scorers at this year’s ceremony were Wizkid, Skepta, M1llionz, and Tiwa Savage.
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UK drill gained huge recognition this edition with Central Cee winning Best Newcomer and the first-ever Best Drill Act. While the first-ever UK number 1 for a drill act, Tion Wayne x Russ Millions' 'Body (Remix)', won Song Of The Year
MOBO founder Kanya King said ahead of Sunday’s event: “The cultural impact [of drill] is huge. We’ve seen the progress and been able to acknowledge that artistic excellence. We believe that music and the arts can be a platform for a better life.”
However, controversy surrounded this year's awards due to the omission of the many dance genres of Black origin. BBC Radio 1's Jaguar called out MOBO on social media last month sharing a Mixmag feature she wrote last year on how the awards need dance and electronic categories.
Read this next: Kevin Saunderson: "Black people don't even know that techno came from Black artists""This argument still stands. Sadly nothing has changed since Helena Starr and I wrote this a year ago…" While Blackout Week guest editor Funk Butcher said: "…and yet the MOBO awards after-party people will be shaking their foot bottom to Amapiano but still no Electronic or Dance Music Category… are you alright MOBO Awards?!"
Coventry’s own Pa Salieu also gave a performance at this year’s event, along with performances from ENNY, Tems, Ghetts, Bree Runway, and more.
Check out a full list of winners here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter