Little Simz and Knucks have tied for the best album prize at this year’s MOBO Awards – the first time joint winners have been announced in the competition’s 25 year history.
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.
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.
Here’s the list of winners in full:
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
Nia Archives
