Mobo Awards: Little Simz and Knucks tie for best album prize
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Rappers Little Simz and Knucks have been named joint winners of the best album prize at this year's Mobo Awards.
It was the first-ever tie in the 25-year history of the awards, which celebrate black music and culture.
The win was a further accolade for Simz' intensely personal Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, which won last month's Mercury Prize last month.
Knucks was honoured for his jazz-rap debut, Alpha Place, named after the London estate he grew up on.
Judges said "both artists showed where British rap can go, both production-wise and lyrically".
The ceremony also saw R&B star Craig David and Chic legend Nile Rodgers win lifetime achievement awards.
On stage at London's Wembley Arena, David dedicated his award to his father, George.
"Thank you to my dad, who was part of the Windrush era," he said. "He came over to this country and he experienced racism, he experienced being bullied... but he nurtured me and showed me love.
"He always said to me, 'Never dim your light'. And I love you dad for that, because that's served me so well throughout my life."
The star's honour came 22 years after his first Mobo win, for best newcomer, in 2000.
"I feel the same way I did back then - just really thankful," he told BBC News.
"But I know that the bit in between, which we call life, has been the most beautiful thing - and I would never change it for the world."
Rodgers, the New York musician whose credits include Madonna's Like A Virgin, David Bowie's Let's Dance and Beyoncé's Cuff It, said he had always felt at home in London.
"The UK has always supported me and always supported my efforts when sometimes in America racism played a part in my development," he said. "I always say to people, I have been swimming upstream my entire life."
He went on to close the show with a medley of his hits, from Chic's Le Freak to Daft Punk's Get Lucky.
New categories
Elsewhere at the ceremony, London rapper Central Cee made good on his 2021 best newcomer award, returning to the ceremony to pick up best male artist and video of the year, for his provocative street anthem Doja.
BBC Sound of 2022 winner PinkPantheress was named best female, recognising the home-spun, sample-heavy of hits like Just For Me and Break It Off.
This year's Mobos also featured two new categories - best alternative act and best dance/electronic act - in response to calls for the awards to diversify.
Jungle musician Nia Archives led the campaign, posting an open letter in April saying it was "frustrating" that the ceremony didn't represent "black music in all its forms".
When the new categories were announced, she was among the nominees - and ultimately won best dance/electronic artist.
"I weren't expecting that, I can't lie," said the Bradford-born musician. "Jungle is music of black origin and I'm proud to be flying the flag for my community and my scene."
Best alternative act went to grime-punk duo Bob Vylan, whose gripping second album The Price Of Life is a furious polemic about wealth inequality and the cost of living crisis.
"There's a lot of anger in it, but it's righteous anger," singer and guitarist Bobby Vylan told BBC News. "If you look at the news on any given day, the people of Britain should be angry with what's going on.
"We're working-class musicians. We're on the ground, we're not removed from any of the struggle. We're here at an award show but we've got to pay our rent."
Nigerian superstar Burna Boy claimed two prizes, winning best international and best African act; while D-Block Europe won best hip-hop.
Song of the year went to dancer-turned-musician Dreya Mac for her viral smash Own Brand (Baddie).
Best known for the line "I ain't never been with a baddie", her imminently-quotable earworm became a sensation on TiKTok last year, ultimately soundtracking more than eight million videos.
Knucks, aka north London rapper Ashley Nwachukwu, went into the ceremony with the most nominations - five in total.
Although the shared best album trophy was his only victory, the musician was happy with the result.
"It's definitely validating" he told BBC News. "I feel like I've been doing this for a long time, so to finally have people acknowledge all the effort I put in really feels good."
He described his album as "an origin story that shows where I came from and what kind of person I am".
Highlights show
Kane Robinson - aka rapper Kano - won best performance in a TV show for his role as drug kingpin Sully in the Netflix drama Top Boy.
Reflecting on how his life had changed since winning best newcomer at the 2005 Mobos, the star had some advice for his fellow musicians.
"I just want to say to all artists that have other interests - you can do what you [expletive] want.
"No boxes, no boundaries. Your artistry don't stop in one medium. If you're interested in something else, do it."
BBC One will show highlights from the ceremony - including performances by Kojey Radical, Fireboy DML, Cat Burns and FLO - in a special programme next Wednesday, 7 December.
The full list of nominees and winners is:
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
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