Singer Craig David made up for his disappointment at the Brits earlier this year by taking home the coveted Best UK Act gong at Thursday night’s Mobo awards in London. And while the 20-year-old singer was forced to miss the Music Of Black Origin ceremony – he was in New York for a John Lennon tribute concert – high-profile stars from sultry Samantha Mumba to American R&B star Usher turned out for the annual awards.
Usher and the London-based garage group So Solid Crew were the evening’s big winners, taking home two awards each. Usher picked up gongs for Best R&B act as well as Best Album for his latest release, 8701. So Solid Crew, who burst onto the scene this summer with the single 21 Seconds, went home with trophies for Best Newcomer and Best UK Garage act.
“They’re absolutely over the moon and the party has only just begun,” reports a spokesman for So Solid Crew, a 30-strong outfit.
US singer Kelis and BBC Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson shared hosting duties for the London Arena affair, which featured a heart-racing performance by Irish export Samantha Mumba. US soul singer R Kelly paid tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York, sporting patriotic red, white and blue. The 21-year-old singer closed the evening with his hit I Believe I Can Fly flanked by a 50-person strong gospel choir.
Other winners include Missy ‘Misdemeanor’ Elliot who scored for Best Hip-Hop Act. Shaggy, who dominated the charts in recent months with his singles It Wasn’t Me and Angel, took home honours for Best Reggae Act. Dr Dre was named Best Producer and trio Destiny’s Child received Best Single honours for their track Independent Woman Part 1 off the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack.
Luther Vandross, who had been scheduled to perform, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award but was absent from the ceremony as the shadow of the September 11 tragedy prompted him to remain stateside.
The Mobo awards were first held in 1996 and this year’s event was the most high-profile to date. “It’s become one of the most significant dates in the music industry calendar and the biggest champion for urban music in the UK,” says Mobo director Kanya King. Artists are nominated by a panel of industry experts but fans ultimately select the winners in 15 of the 18 categories.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
