FEATURE:
The Digital Mixtape
IN THIS PHOTO: Little Simz is nominated for several MOBO Awards (including Best Female Act)
The MOBO Awards 2024: The Shortlisted Artists
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IT is that time of year…
where we are starting to get award ceremonies announcing shortlists for 2024. One of the most essential dates in the calendar is the MOBO Awards. Taking place in Sheffield on 7th February, they celebrate some wonderful and hugely important artists across multiple genres. Although there are some genres and categories not represented – Ambient, Reggae and some sub-genres deserve a little more love -, there is a good balance and sense of scope. In spite too of some notable omissions this year (Lorraine James missed out; Hak Baker should be in there), there is a mix of wonderful established acts and newcomers standing alongside one another. What I wanted to do is finish on a playlist with songs from most of the artists who have been shortlisted. There are entertainment categories as well - but, as this is a music blog, I shall stick with a music playlist and let that be my main focus. Maybe a separate feature on that in the coming weeks. The Guardian provide details of who has been nominated in all categories:
“Little Simz and Stormzy have topped the nominations for the 2024 Mobo awards, which celebrate Black music in the UK and beyond.
Each of them are up for album of the year with LPs that bring symphonic, gospel-infused heft to rap: Stormzy for his heartfelt and ambitious This Is What I Mean, and Little Simz for her surprise-released No Thank You. Both are nominated in the gendered best artist categories, while Stormzy has a nod for video of the year and Little Simz is one of 10 nominees for best hip-hop act.
Pop artist Raye’s career renaissance continues – after she was left in limbo for years by a major label, she released her album My 21st Century Blues independently and to huge success, with the track Escapism reaching No 1. She is also nominated in artist, album and song of the year categories. J Hus (another album of the year nominee), PinkPantheress and Central Cee also get three nominations each.
Ezra Collective, the jazz ensemble who won this year’s Mercury prize, could make it a brace with a nomination in the album of the year category. Rounding out the category is Potter Payper, whose album Real Back in Style reached No 2 in the charts while the rapper was jailed at Pentonville prison in London – he has since been released.
A vintage year for the song of the year category sees four all-star team-ups – J Hus and Drake, Central Cee and Dave, PinkPantheress and Ice Spice, and Raye and 070 Shake – go up against Stormzy’s Hide & Seek and Jorja Smith’s summer anthem Little Things. Smith is also nominated for best female act alongside Raye, PinkPantheress and Little Simz, plus R&B singer Mahalia and girl group Flo.
Central Cee and Dave face off against each other in the best male act category despite releasing a hugely successful collaborative EP together, topped with global hit Sprinter. As well as J Hus and Stormzy, the category is rounded out with rappers Nines – who has hinted at retirement – and D-Block Europe.
The award ceremony will take place in Sheffield for the first time. Awards founder Kanya King said: “What makes Sheffield unique is that there is a rich underground scene with talent yet to break through, and with the community outreach the Mobo awards always does, the hope is to engage with and elevate that underground scene.”
The awards, founded in 1996, will take place on 7 February, with highlights broadcast on BBC One.
Mobo award nominations 2024
Best male act
Central Cee
Dave
D-Block Europe
J Hus
Nines
Stormzy
Best female act
Flo
Jorja Smith
Little Simz
Mahalia
PinkPantheress
Raye
Album of the year
Ezra Collective – Where I’m Meant To Be
J Hus – Beautiful and Brutal Yard
Little Simz – No Thank You
Potter Payper – Real Back in Style
Raye – My 21st Century Blues
Stormzy – This Is What We Mean
Song of the year
Central Cee & Dave – Sprinter
J Hus – Who Told You (ft Drake)
Jorja Smith – Little Things
PinkPantheress & Ice Spice – Boy’s a Liar Pt 2
Raye & 070 Shake – Escapism
Stormzy – Hide & Seek
Best newcomer
Ama Lou
AntsLive
Debbie
Jayo
Nippa
No Guidnce
Rimzee
Strandz
Tamera
Tunde
Video of the year
AntsLive – Number One Candidate (dir Tom Emmerson)
Enny – No More Naija Men (dir Otis Dominique)
Jords – Dirt in the Diamond EP1: Mobay ft Tay Iwar / Stay Close ft Kranium (dir Renee Maria Osubu)
Little Simz – Gorilla (dir Dave Meyers)
Stormzy – Mel Made Me Do It (dir Klvdr)
Tion Wayne – Healing (dir Wowa)
Best R&B/soul act
Bellah
Jaz Karis
Mahalia
Ragz Originale
Sampha
Sault
Best hip-hop act
Avelino
Clavish
Digga D
Enny
Fredo
Giggs
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Nines
Potter Payper
Best grime act
Bugzy Malone
Duppy
Flowdan
Manga Saint Hilare
Novelist
P Money
Best drill act
Central Cee
Headie One
K-Trap
Kwengface
M24
Russ Millions
TeeZandos
Unknown T
Best international act (US)
Doja Cat
Drake & 21 Savage
Travis Scott
Ice Spice
Latto
Lil Uzi Vert
Nicki Minaj
Sexyy Red
SZA
Victoria Monét
Best African music act
Adekunle Gold
Asake
Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Davido
Libianca
Rema
Tyla
Uncle Waffles
Wizkid
Best Caribbean music act
Byron Messia
Destra
Kabaka Pyramid
Popcaan
Shenseea
Valiant
Best jazz act
Blue Lab Beats
Cktrl
Ezra Collective
Masego
Reuben James
Yazmin Lacey
Best alternative music act
Alt Blk Era
Arlo Parks
Deijuvhs
Kid Bookie
Skindred
Young Fathers
Best electronic/dance act
Aluna
Nia Archives
PinkPantheress
Salute
Shygirl
Tsha
Best producer
Info
Kyle Evans
M1onTheBeat
P2J
Steel Banglez
TSB
Best gospel act
Annatoria
CalledOut Music
Guvna B
Limoblaze
Tofunmi Adorna
Triple O”.
If you are unfamiliar with the MOBOs and the great work they do, you can follow their Twitter page. Also on Instagram. There is a stellar selection of artists in the running for this year’s MOBO Awards. I have put together a playlist of songs from the vast majority of those who are in contention. It just goes to show you what quality and calibre there is out there! It also highlights that the MOBOs is one of the strongest and most worthy music award nights…
OF the year.