The first of this year’s prestigious MOBO Awards were presented at a special Pre-MOBO Award Show gala at London’s Under The Bridge yesterday evening, shining the spotlight on the UK’s best trailblazing talents in R&B, Soul, Jazz and Gospel music.
The invite-only music event – a first of its kind in MOBO history – was an evening of money-can’t-buy experiences, giving its undivided attention to celebrating the best singers and musicians in the field.
The show featured unforgettable performances from jazz legend and past MOBO Award-winner Courtney Pine CBE and British soul icons Mica Paris and Omar. They thrilled a packed-out room of esteemed music industry guests and the next generation of music stars such as Misha B, Andreya Triana, David Lyttle, Olaedo Ibe and Jermain Jackman.
The Pre-MOBO Awards Show also featured performances from: Hackney Colliery Band, Julia Biel (Best Jazz Act nominee), Faith Child (Best Gospel Act winner), Lurine Cato, Annastasia Baker, Dora Martin, Misha B and Andreya Triana.
London singer-songwriter Shakka took on established contemporaries such as Joss Stone and Lianne La Havas to win Best R&B/Soul Act. This is Shakka’s first MOBO Award win, following prestigious nominations in 2013 for Best Newcomer and Best Song for his collaboration with Wretch 32 ‘Blackout’.
Shakka’s newest track ‘Say Nada [Remix]’ featuring fellow MOBO Award nominee JME has clocked up over a million views on Youtube. The Notting Hill-born star will release his next EP The Lost Boys on 6 November.
Binker and Moses – aka tenor saxophonist Binker Golding and drummer Moses Boyd – took home the MOBO Award for Best Jazz Act tonight. This is the first time the London duo has been nominated for a MOBO.
The pair recorded their newest release Dem Ones in the live room at Mark Ronson’s Zelig Studio, and has since gone on to earn high praise from jazz music critics for their youthful and raw performance.
Gospel MC Faith Child scores his first MOBO Award for Best Gospel Act. The rapper was previously nominated for this category in 2010 and had since swept up multiple accolades and become one of the most formidable live performers in the field.
Faith Child’s latest album Airborne raced to the Top 5 of the UK Christian and Gospel charts a few months ago. He has opened for MOBO Award winner Tinie Tempah and shared the stage with the likes of Lecrae, Terrell King and Kirk Franklin, to name a few.
American gospel music star Marvin Winans Jr flew in to London especially to host the Pre-MOBO Awards Show. Marvin comes from a family of true gospel music royalty, being the son of Marvin and Vickie Winans and nephew of Bebe and Cece Winans. As a producer and writer, Marvin’s work has been nominated for Grammy Awards, Stellar Awards, Dove Awards and more.
Highlights from the Pre-MOBO Awards Show will be broadcast during the MOBO Awards ceremony on 4 November at Leeds’ First Direct Arena. Live broadcast takes place on ITV2 at 8pm and will be repeated on ITV1 on 6 November at 10.40pm.
