East African musicians have failed to bag any nominations in the recently released MOBO Awards 2015 nominees list as Nigerians continue to dominate in Best African Act category. Despite music from East African artistes like Sauti Sol, Diamond Platnumz and Eddy Kenzo causing ripples on the continent, the region has still lost out to their Nigerian counterparts who include; Wizkid, Davido and Patoranking among others whose music has dominated the local airwaves.
MOBO awards seek to recognise the outstanding achievements of artists who perform music in genres ranging from Gospel, Jazz, RnB, Soul, Reggae to Hip Hop. Now in their 2oth year, MOBO has played an instrumental role in elevating black music and culture to mainstream popular status in the UK.
This year’s MOBO Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 4 at The First Direct Arena in Leeds.
Here’s the full list of nominees:
MOBO Best Newcomer (In association with Virgin Trains)
Bugzy Malone
Section Boyz
Nao
Bonkaz
Nick Brewer
George The Poet
J Hus
Snakehips
Sinead Harnett
Yungen
MOBO Best Video
Stormzy “Know Me From” (Directed by Serious Black)
FKA Twigs “Pendulum” (Directed by FKA Twigs & Paula Harrowing)
FKA Twigs “Glass & Patron” (Directed by FKA Twigs)
Rita Ora Feat. Chris Brown “Body On Me” (Directed Colin Tilley)
Lethal Bizzle Feat. Diztortion “Fester Skank” (Directed by Ludovic and Zotto)
MOBO Best Female Act
FKA Twigs
Little Simz
Ella Eyre
Lianne La Havas
Jess Glynne
MOBO Best Male Act
Skepta
Mark Ronson
Krept and Konan
Jme
Stormzy
MOBO Best Song (In association with First Direct)
Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk”
Skepta “Shutdown”
Tinie Tempah Feat. Jess Glynne “Not Letting Go”
Jme Feat. Giggs “Man Don’t Care”
Krept and Konan Feat. Jeremih “Freak Of The Week”
MOBO Best Album
Krept and Konan – The Long Way Home
Jme – Integrity>
Lianne La Havas – Blood
Wiley – Snakes & Ladders
Jamie XX – In Colour
MOBO Best Grime Act (In association with BBC Radio 1Xtra)
Bugzy Malone
Jme
Lethal Bizzle
Skepta
Stormzy
MOBO Best R&B/Soul Act
Kwabs
Shakka
Lianne La Havas
Andreya Triana
Joss Stone
MOBO Best Hip Hop Act
Akala
Krept and Konan
Little Simz
Lady Leshurr
Nines
MOBO Best International Album
Drake – If Youre Reading This Its Too Late
J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hill Drive
Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
Dr. Dre – Compton: A Soundtrack By Dr. Dre
The Weeknd – Beauty Behind The Madness
D’Angelo and The Vanguard – Black Messiah
Jazmine Sullivan – Reality Show
The Internet – Ego Death
Tyrese – Black Rose
A$AP Rocky – At.Long.Last.ASAP
MOBO Best African Act
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Fuse ODG (Ghana)
Silvastone (Sierra Leone)
Davido (Nigeria)
Patoranking (Nigeria)
Moelogo (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
AKA (South Africa)
Mista Silva (Ghana)
Shatta Wale (Ghana)
MOBO Best Reggae Act
Stylo G
Chronixx
OMI
Popcaan
Protoje
MOBO Best Jazz Act
Binker and Moses
Julia Biel
Courtney Pine
David Lyttle
Polar Bear
MOBO Best Gospel Act
Chos3n
Olaedo Ibe
Leroy Johnson
Ni-Cola
Faith Child
BigEyeUg Staff