BB FANS

Stars gear up for MOBO Awards


Stars from both sides of the Atlantic are gearing up for the 2005 Music of Black Origin Awards (MOBO) in London.

UK singing star Lemar is leading the pack with a massive five nominations.

He's come a long way since competing in a reality television competition to win a recording contract. Despite not winning, he was snapped up by record bosses as soon as the show finished.

Of his latest album and his chances at the awards bash, he said: "I've put a hundred per cent into my music, and I know that every artist does that.

"I think it's the best album I could put out. I'm just happy to be nominated for five and we'll see what happens on the night." ITV

Lemar awaits Mobo award results

Lemar Obika was a Fame Academy runner-up in 2002
Soul singer Lemar has only hours to wait until he hears if he has won the five prizes he is up for at this year's Music of Black Origin (Mobo) Awards.

The BBC Fame Academy finalist is leading the field and is up for categories including UK act of the year, best album and best single.

US singer-songwriter John Legend has three nominations, while Mariah Carey and rapper Snoop Dogg have two each.

Comedian Gina Yashere will host the event at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Lauryn Hill, Ms Dynamite, Damian Marley and Public Enemy will perform at the ceremony.



Awards will be presented to artists from a variety of styles, including jazz, rap, gospel, R&B, dance, reggae and jungle.

Joss Stone
Stone is one of the five acts up for UK act of the year
A new award for best African act has been introduced this year, with the voting taking place in Africa itself.

Nominees include Youssou N'Dour and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

There will also be a special tribute to soul legend Luther Vandross, who died in July.

Other candidates for UK act of the year include Joss Stone, Estelle and rapper Kano.

Missy Elliot, Sean Paul and Jamiroquai are nominated in other categories. BBC

Double Mobo win for singer Lemar

Lemar became famous as a finalist on BBC series Fame Academy
Singer Lemar has won the best album and UK act prizes at the Music of Black Origin (Mobo) awards, with unsigned rapper Sway also taking a prize.

Lemar lost the best R&B act title to US star John Legend, however, and failed to win the best video or single awards.

North London rapper Sway was named best hip hop act, beating multi-million selling US stars 50 Cent and The Game despite having no record contract.

Decided by public vote, the Mobo awards were presented at a London ceremony.

Marley tribute

BBC Fame Academy finalist Lemar beat soul singer Joss Stone and rapper Estelle, among others, to the UK act of the year title.

His album Time To Grow beat albums by Mariah Carey, John Legend, US rapper Common and east London rapper Kano.


Nevertheless Kano, who has pioneered the garage spin-off grime, was named best UK newcomer.

Damian Marley - son of reggae icon Bob Marley - was named best reggae act.

He and brothers Julian and Stephen Marley performed a tribute to their father Bob, who received the Mobo's posthumous achievement award.

The second special trophy of the night went to US rap pioneers Public Enemy, who received the outstanding contribution to black music award.

Rapper Ms Dynamite and US singer Lauryn Hill also performed at Thursday's Royal Albert Hall ceremony.


Ms Dynamite performed at the Royal Albert Hall ceremony
Omar, Nate James and Mica Paris took part in a tribute to soul singer Luther Vandross, who died aged 54 after suffering a stroke in July.

Youssou N'dour won the Mobo's inaugural best African act award, voted for exclusively by music fans in Africa.

BBC Radio 1 hip hop DJ Tim Westwood was named best UK radio DJ while Steve Sutherland took the best UK club DJ title.

Last year's Mobo ceremony was overshadowed by protests over the inclusion of reggae artists Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel, who were accused of homophobic lyrics.

The Mobo awards will be broadcast on BBC One at 2335 on Friday 23 September. BBC