U.K. rappers Knucks and Little Simz have been named joint winners of the best album prize at this year’s MOBO Awards, a first in the 25-year history of the awards.
Little Simz and Knucks were crowned joint winners for their albums, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and Alpha Place, respectively, while the paneled judges said that both artists “showed where British rap can go, both production-wise and lyrically.”
Elsewhere, Central Cee won the award for Best Male Act, as well as Video of the Year for his hit song “Doja,” which was directed by Lyrical Lemonade founder, Cole Bennett. PinkPanthress won Best Female Act, and Nigerian star Burna Boy took home two trophies for Best International Act and Best African Music act.
Little Simz’s Album of the Year win comes a year after her first MOBO win for Best Female Act, and the album also comes hot on the heels of a well-deserved Mercury Prize award and a controversially-won Best New Act at the BRIT Awards, after releasing her fourth studio album in Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
For Central Cee, this is the second year in a row that he has won two awards at the MOBOs. Last year, the West London rapper won Best Newcomer and Best Drill Act, however, his awards this year have come much-deserved after his mixtape, 23, hit No. 1 in the U.K., while “Doja” became a top 10 record in seven countries.
Furthermore, Nottingham’s Bru-C won Best Newcomer, while Leicester-raised songstress Mahalia won Best R&B/Soul act. D Double E — who Hypebeast recently spoke with — took home Best Grime Act and Inflo — one of the producers of Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and a collaborator on Adele’s 30 – won Producer of the Year.
Hosted at London’s OVO Arena Wembley, this year’s MOBOs were presented by online personalities, Chunkz and Yung Filly, and the ceremony also featured live performances from Nile Rodgers, Craig David, Kojey Radical, and more. Rodgers also took home a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Craig David won an Outstanding Contribution award.
Rounding off the event, this year’s ceremony included a tribute to the late Jamal Edwards MBE — the music pioneer and founder of iconic music platform SBTV — that was performed by Emeli Sandé.
In other music news, listen to the new song from Nas and 21 Savage.
Tagged: entertainment blog, music, music blog, UK