New Grime king Stormzy leads the 2017 MOBO Awards nominations, which was announced today at YouTube Space London. The 24-year old South London MC picked up a whopping five nominations for Best Male, Best Grime Act, Best Album for “Gang Signs & Prayer”, Best Song and Best Video for ‘Big For Your Boots’.
Stormzy has been on a steady crescendo of success since picking up the MOBO Award for Best Grime Act in 2014 and 2015, and Best Male in 2015. The MC references the moment he saw Krept & Konan win Best Newcomer at the 2013 MOBO Awards as the tipping point that pushed him to quit his job at an oil refinery and pursue a full-time career in music. He tweeted, ‘Krept & Konan just won a MOBO, I’m going studio.’
Fast forward four years from that moment and Stormzy’s debut album “Gang Signs & Prayer” has topped the UK Album Chart – becoming the first Grime album in history to reach #1. According to the OfficialCharts.com, it is also the biggest independent album of 2017 so far with over 220,000 sales. Stormzy has to date clocked up over 197 million views on his YouTube channel, 37 million of which are for the ‘Big For Your Boots’ music video directed by Daps.
While Grime may have well and truly captured the mainstream’s attention now, MOBO has been championing talents in this genre since 2001 when So Solid Crew put on a landmark performance at the Awards. With the movement teeming with unsung talent and demonstrating increasing cultural significance, MOBO formally recognised Grime as an award category in 2010.
After two years of solid underground appeal, East London rapper J Hus has broken through in a big way, picking up four nominations for Best Male, Best Album for “Common Sense”, Best Song for ‘Did You See’ and Best Video for ‘Spirit’. The 21-year old MC hit MOBO’s radar two years ago, which earned him a prestigious nomination in the Best Newcomer category and he followed up last year with a Best Song nod for ‘Friendly’. “Common Sense” – J Hus’ debut album – reached #6 on the UK Album Charts earlier this year and features the Top 10 hit ‘Did You See’, which has also amassed over 42 million views on YouTube.
Hotly tipped R&B singer Jorja Smith picks up three prestigious nominations for Best Female, Best R&B/Soul Act and Best Newcomer. In the last 12 months, the 20-year old singer-songwriter from Walsall has featured on Drake’s hit album “More Life” and even supported him on his UK tour. Her recent garage-infused banger with Preditah ‘On My Mind’ earned her rave reviews from music press far and wide.
Rising rap star Stefflon Don makes her MOBO debut with three nods in major categories for Best Female, Best Hip Hop Act and Best Newcomer. Mercury Prize winner Sampha receives three nominations for Best Male, Best R&B/Soul Act and Best Album for his critically acclaimed debut “Process”.
Elsewhere, the always front-running MOBO Best Newcomer category is brimming with 10 of the industry’s hottest future stars. Poised for a big night at the awards in Leeds next month is South London rapper Loyle Carner, who is also nominated for Best Hip Hop and Best Video for ‘The Isle of Arran’.
Traditionally, the MOBO Best Newcomer category has been the industry’s best foreteller of black music excellence. As an aspirational touchstone, winning this highly coveted award became the first step on the ladder for many artists who have forged a successful career, including Craig David (2000), Estelle (2004), Kano (2005), Chip (2008), Tinie Tempah (2010), Jessie J (2011), Rita Ora (2012) and Krept & Konan (2013).
This year’s MOBO Awards, supported by Leeds City Council and LeedsBID, will be hosted at Leeds’ First Direct Arena on 29 November. Performers and broadcast partners will be announced shortly. The third annual Pre-MOBO Awards Show – specially devoted to jazz, gospel, R&B/Soul categories – will be hosted in London. More details to come.
MOBO AWARDS 2017 NOMINEES
BEST MALE
Bugzy Malone
Chip
Dave
Giggs
J Hus
Maleek Berry
Mostack
Sampha
Skepta
Stormzy
BEST FEMALE
Emeli Sandé
Jessie Ware
Jorja Smith
Lady Leshurr
Little Simz
Mabel
Nadia Rose
NAO
Ray BLK
Stefflon Don
BEST ALBUM
J Hus – Common Sense
Nines – One Foot Out
Sampha – Process
Stormzy - Gang Signs & Prayer
Wretch 32 – Growing Over Life
BEST NEWCOMER
Dave
Jorja Smith
Kojo Funds
Lotto Boyzz
Loyle Carner
Mabel
Mist
Not3s
Stefflon Don
Yxng Bane
BEST SONG
J Hus “Did You See”
(Produced by JAE5)
Kojo Funds Feat. Abra Cadabra “Dun Talkin’”
(Produced by GA)
Not3s “Addison Lee”
(Produced by Malv On The Track)
Stormzy “Big For Your Boots”
(Produced by Sir Spyro & Fraser T Smith)
Yungen Feat. Yxng Bane “Bestie)
(Produced by ADP)
BEST VIDEO
Bossman Birdie “Walk The Walk”
(Directed by Luke Davies)
J Hus “Spirit”
(Directed by Hugo Jenkins)
Loyle Carner “The Isle Of Arran”
(Directed by Georgia Hudson)
Mist “Hot Property”
(Directed by Oliver Jennings)
Stormzy “Big For Your Boots”
(Directed by Daps)
BEST HIP HOP ACT
Giggs
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Nines
Stefflon Don
Wretch 32
BEST GRIME ACT
AJ Tracey
Chip
P Money
Skepta
Stormzy
Wiley
BEST R&B/SOUL ACT
Supported by Mi-Soul
Craig David
Jorja Smith
NAO
Ray BLK
Sampha
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Cardi B
DJ Khaled
Drake
Jay Z
Kendrick Lamar
Migos
Solange Knowles
SZA
Travis Scott
Wizkid
BEST AFRICAN ACT
Davido
Eugy
Juls
Maleek Berry
Mr Eazi
Sarkodie
Tekno
Tiwa Savage
Wande Coal
Wizkid
BEST REGGAE ACT
Aidonia
Alkaline
Chronixx
Damian Marley
Popcaan
BEST JAZZ ACT
Supported by Jazz FM
Cleveland Watkiss
Daymé Arocena
Moses Boyd
Mr Jukes
Terrace Martin
BEST GOSPEL ACT
Supported by Premier Gospel
Lurine Cato
Mali Music
S.O.
Triple O
Volney Morgan & New-Ye
MOBO Awards arena tickets are on sale now from www.mobo.com and www.firstdirectarena.com Prices are £22, £35 and £45 excluding handling charges.
VIP packages can be obtained via VIPtickets@mobo.com
