Judges for the MOBO Awards, which celebrates “music of black origin”, said “both artists showed where British rap can go, both production-wise and lyrically”.
This is the second time in a matter of months Little Simz has won an award for her intimate, insightful record Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, as she won the Mercury Prize last month.
Knucks, meanwhile, had led the way with nominations, following the release of his superb debut, ALPHA PLACE, earlier this year.
Central Cee
Elsewhere, Shepherd’s Bush rapper Central Cee had a night worth celebrating, picking up gongs for Best Male Act and Video of the Year, for his Cole Bennett-directed ‘Doja’. Alt-pop 21-year-old PinkPantheress won Best Female Act.
Nigerian superstar similarly won twice, for Best African Music Act and Best International Act, whilst London quintet Ezra Collective picked up the award for Best Jazz Act.
As well as the first joint album offering, this year’s MOBOs also had another two firsts with two new categories. Fresh from her BRITs Rising Star award nomination, and having called on the MOBOs to diversify its musical appreciation, Nia Archives picked up the first Best Electronic/Dance Act award. Grime-punk duo Bob Vylan, meanwhile, became the first Best Alternative Music Act at the MOBOs.
Nia Archives
Here’s the list of winners in full:
Best male act
Central Cee – winner
Dave
D-Block Europe
Digga D
Knucks
Tion Wayne
Best female act
PinkPantheress – winner
Little Simz
Mahalia
Miraa May
Ms Banks
Tiana Major9
Album of the year
Knucks – Alpha Place – joint winner
Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert – joint winner
Aitch – Close To Home
Kojey Radical – Reason to Smile
M Huncho – Chasing Euphoria
Miraa May – Tales of a Miracle
Song of the year
Dreya Mac, Felixthe1st & Finch Fetti – Own Brand (Baddie) – winner
Aitch feat Ashanti – Baby
Central Cee – Doja
Dave – Starlight
Digga D & Stillbrickin – Pump 1010
Potter Payper feat Tiggs Da Author – Gangsteritus
Best newcomer
Bru-C – winner
AMARIA BB
Cat Burns
Clavish
Cristale
Flo
Jbee
Nemzzz
Nia Archives
SwitchOTR
Video of the year
Central Cee – Doja (directed by Cole Bennett) – winner
Headie One, Abra Cadabra & Bandokay – Can’t Be Us (directed by Headie One and Don Prod)
Knucks – Alpha House/Hide & Seek (directed by Emile Ebrahim Kelly)
Kojey Radical feat. Knucks – Payback (directed by Charlie Sarsfield and Ejiro Dafé)
Little Simz feat. Obongjayar – Point and Kill (directed by Ebeneza Blanche)
Mahalia – Whatever Simon Says (directed by Mahalia)
Best R&B/Soul act
Mahalia – winner
Ella Mai
Miraa May
Nao
Shakka
Tiana Major9
Best grime act
D Double E – winner
Blay vision
Frisco
Kamakaze
Manga Saint Hilare
Novelist
Best Hip Hop act
D-Block Europe – winner
Knucks
Kojey Radical
Little Simz
Potter Payper
Youngs Teflon
Best drill act
K-Trap – winner
Central Cee
Digga D
Headie One
Ivorian Doll
Kwengface
M24
Russ Millions
Unknown T
V9
Best international act
Burna Boy – winner
Beyoncé
Chris Brown
Drake
Jack Harlow
Jazmine Sullivan
Kendrick Lamar
Skillibeng
Summer Walker
Tems
Best performance in a TV show/film
Kane Robinson (Kano) as Sully – Top Boy – winner
Damson Idris as Franklin Saint – Snowfall
Daniel Kaluuya as Otis “Oj” Haywood Jr. – Nope
Jasmine Jobson as Jaq – Top Boy
Lashana Lynch as Nomi – No Time To Die
Samuel Adewunmi as Hero – You Don’t Know Me
Best media personality
Nella Rose – winner
Big Zuu
Chuckie Online
Chunkz
Harry Pinero
KSI
Mo Gilligan
Munya Chawawa
Yung Filly
Zeze Millz
Best alternative music act
Bob Vylan – winner
Big Joanie
Kid Bookie
Loathe
Nova Twins
Skunk Anansie
Best electronic/dance act
Nia Archives – winner
Anz
Eliza Rose
FKA Twigs
Jax Jones
Sherelle
Best African music act
Burna Boy (Nigeria) – winner
Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
Asake (Nigeria)
Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
Kabza De Small (South Africa)
Omah Lay (Nigeria)
Oxlade (Nigeria)
Pheelz (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Best gospel act
Still Shadey – winner
Asha Elia
Calledout Music
Rachel Kerr
Reblah
Sarah Teibo
Best jazz act
Ezra Collective – winner
Blue Lab Beats
Doomcannon
Ego Ella May
Jas Kayser
Kokoroko
Best Caribbean music act
Skillibeng – winner
Koffee
Popcaan
Sean Paul
Shenseea
Spice
Best producer
Inflo – winner
Jae5
Labrinth
M1onthebeat
P2J
TSB
