MOBOs 2020: Headie One, Mahalia and Nines win big at virtual ceremony
Written by News on 10/12/2020
Headie One and Mahalia have taken home best male and female act at the 23rd MOBO awards, with London rapper Nines taking home album of the year.
The virtual ceremony, which celebrates black music, returned for the first time since 2017 on Wednesday night.
It was a double win for both Mahalia and Nines, with Leicester-born singer Mahalia, 22, also named best R&B/soul act.
Thirty-year-old rapper Nines, from Harlesden, north-west London, took home best hip-hop act.
Headie One got a second mention, too, as he featured on song of the year – Don’t Rush – by Young T and Bugsey. He also performed at the ceremony.
Other winners included Nigerian singer Burna Boy, who was named best international act, and Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen, who was given the Inspiration prize.
Following her win, Mahalia told the PA news agency: “I remember seeing my first MOBOs, coming to the first one, I think it was in Leeds, and it’s an honour.
“As a young black female artist it really is special to be here and to be recognised in this way.”
Speaking after his win, director McQueen said: “This is an extraordinary prize. Thank you so much. The MOBO Awards for me is part of the idea of Small Axe.
“When people didn’t want to recognise us, we recognised ourselves and that’s given me the inspiration to go forward.”
Small Axe was an anthology of five films telling the stories of West Indian immigrants in London during the 1960s and 1970s, which aired in November on the BBC.
Actor Micheal Ward was awarded the best performance in a TV show or film gong for his turn as Marco in gang drama Blue Story, after being named Bafta’s rising star earlier this year. He also featured in Small Axe.
The best reggae act went to Jamaican reggae and dancehall star Buju Banton following the release of Upside Down 2020, his first album in a decade.
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Nigerian singer Wizkid took home the best African act gong.
Best newcomer went to 21-year-old Manchester rapper Aitch, and YouTube creator, music artist and comedian Chunkz was the winner of the publicly voted best media personality award.
The ceremony was hosted by presenter Maya Jama, who also presented the 2017 awards.
Full list of MOBO Awards 2020 winners:
– Best male act – Headie One
– Best female act – Mahalia
– Album of the year – Nines’s Crabs In A Bucket
– Video of the year – NSG’s Lupita (Directed by Kevin Hudson)
– Best R&B/soul act – Mahalia
– Best hip hop act – Nines
– Best album (2017-2019) – Ella Mai’s Ella Mai
– Best gospel act – Called Out Music
– Best jazz act – Ego Ella May
– Best reggae act – Buju Banton
– Best producer – JAE5
– Best newcomer – Aitch
– Song of the year – Young T & Bugsey featuring Headie One – Don’t Rush
– Best performance in a TV show/film – Micheal Ward as Marco in Blue Story
– Best grime act – Jme
– Best media personality – Chunkz
– Best international act – Burna Boy
– Best African act – Wizkid
(c) Sky News 2020: MOBOs 2020: Headie One, Mahalia and Nines win big at virtual ceremony
