Only a year after she first burst onto the scene, British rap star Ms Dynamite has won a record-equalling six nominations for this year’s Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) awards.
Since releasing her debut single Booo! in May 2001, 21-year-old North Londoner has produced two Top Ten singles and a Mercury-nominated debut album, A Little Deeper. In the nominations, announced on Monday, the rapper is up for Best R&B Act, UK Act Of The Year, Best Newcomer, Best Single, Best Album and Best Video for It Takes More.
Ms Dynamite – real name Naomi McLean-Daley – matches the record set by Craig David, who got six nominations two years ago and went on to win three gongs.
US singer-songwriter and five-times Grammy-winner Alicia Keys and hip-star Ja Rule follow Ms Dynamite with four nominations each. Another up-and-coming star in her native US, Ashanti, has three solo nominations – but features on other songs with four nominations.
Last year’s big winners, the controversial rap act So Solid Crew have also been named in the UK Act Of The Year category alongside Mis-Teeq, Daniel Bedingfield, Beverley Knight and the Sugababes. So Solid Crew are also competing for the UK Garage Act accolade.
In the Best Album category, Ms Dynamite faces competition from Ashanti, Ja Rule, Alicia Keys and The Streets, whose hip-debut was also Mercury-nominated.
Now in their seventh year, the MOBO awards have become one of the biggest music awards in the UK’s calendar as the music they embrace has crossed over more and more into popular culture. This year’s event will be presented by Mis-Teeq’s Alesha Dixon and US rapper LL Cool J at the London Arena on October 1. Performers will include Craig David, Ja Rule with Ashanti, and 1970s reggae star Jimmy Cliff.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
