LONDON – Dave took home one of the top prizes at this year’s Mobo Awards, winning best album for his second record, We’re All Alone In This Together.
Fellow rapper Little Simz won best female in recognition of her triumphant album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
And grime legend Ghetts took home his first ever Mobo, for best male, 16 years after releasing his groundbreaking debut, 2000 & Life. “I weren’t even expecting this,” he said. “It’s been such a journey.” Sunday’s ceremony, which was held in Coventry Arena, marked the first in-person Mobo awards since 2017. The show took a two-year break in 2018, while last year’s awards were distributed virtually due to the pandemic.
Bree Runway successfully jolted the event back to life, revving up the red carpet on a motorbike and swerving onto the stage for a pneumatic performance of her single, Hot Hot.
There were also stand-out performances from rapper Pa Salieu, who ran through the hits Frontline, Glidin’ and My Family to a receptive hometown crowd; and rap newcomer Enny, who delivered a powerful version of her empowerment anthem, Peng Black Girls.
Drill music had a big presence, in the year that the genre earned its first UK number one single, the remix of Tion Wayne and Russ Millions’ Body.
That track won song of the year, while London rapper Central Cee picked up best drill act – a new category introduced for this year’s awards.
The recognition is a sign that drill has outgrown its associations with gang violence (the genre, which originated in Chicago, was originally named after a slang term for fighting or retaliation between rival gangs).
Central Cee, who was also named best newcomer, has become known for his melodic and sometimes emotional twist on drill’s ominous beats.
“We’re still independent, we still haven’t signed a deal,” he said as he picked up his first award of the night. “I feel like that’s special in itself.”
Leave a Reply