JLS, the runners up in last year’s X-Factor show flew the flag for British urban music, winning two awards for best newcomer and best song - whereas N-Dubz the west Lond trio also won two awards for best UK act and best album. t5m favourite MC Chipmunk beat hip hop heavy weights Eminem and Kanye West to win ‘best hip hop’ act, with his unique north London grime sound, with r’n'b star and MOBO host Keri Hilson winning ‘best soul and ‘r’n'b’ category.

MOBO founder Kanya King told the Guardian “I think we’ve seriously arrived this year,” she said. “We’ve an amazing line-up and this is what we’ve been working towards … outselling a lot of other American counterparts and we’ve got them all on one stage. Let’s give them the credit they deserve because all too often we’ve been told that British acts aren’t up to the same standard.”

Jermaine Jackson and LaToya Jackson appeared together at the event to present a tribute to their brother Michael, she said.

Best International Artist was quite rightfully won by the one and only Beyonce, who also won the best video award for Single Ladies - and gave a pre-recorded acceptance speech. Other winners, including Sean Paul, the Jamaican-born musician who won best reggae act for the second time, and Nneka, the Nigerian-German singer who won best African act, did not appear at the ceremony.

King said she was considering staging next year’s Mobo outside London: “It has been phenomenally successful for us.”

A spokesman at bookmakers Paddy Power said, “It looks like this could be Tinchy Stryder’s year with punters tipping him for success in three major categories”.
 
“The Mobo Awards has gone mainstream, nominating acts from The X Factor an the Eurovision Song Contest in the best newcomer category,” reports The Telegraph.

Alexandra Burke, winner of The X Factor last year, will go head-to-head with runners-up JLS and the UK’s Eurovision hopeful Jade Ewen.

JLS recently went to number one with their debut single, Beat Again, and it is among the nominations for best song.

Beyonce, Kanye West, Jay Z and Mariah Carey are nominated in the international categories, along with Eminem and Lady Gaga.

Artists Tinchy Stryder, Dizzee Rascal, N-Dubz and Chipmunk lead the shortlist and former Strictly Come Dancing winner Alesha Dixon is up for Best UK act along stars including R’n'B singer Beverley Knight and rapper Bashy.

The late R&B singer Aaliyah will be honoured at the MOBO’s eight years after her death. Organisers will pay tribute to the Try Again star, who died in a plane crash on 25 August 2001.A spokesperson for the Mobos says,

 ”Always humble and down to earth, what made the world fall in love with Aaliyah was that she never let the fame get to her. It can definitely be said that Aaliyah paved the way for the Ciaras and Keri Hilsons of this world. Aaliyah, we miss you.”

Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine will also be in Scotland to take part in a major tribute to the late king of Pop.

Mobo founder Kanya King MBE said: “It will be a phenomenal tribute. The older generation, the younger generation have all been influenced by him. I think it’s right we should pay proper tribute to him.

“We are going to put on the best show ever. It will take Mobo to the global stage.”

The event which takes place in Glasgow on September 30 2009 is expected to reach an estimated 250 million viewers in 60 countries.

To find out more, check out the MOBO Awards channel and exclusive interviews here on t5m.

Who will you be backing to win big at this years MOBO’s?

This year’s awards show how much black music has changed over the years. Estelle and Leona Lewis are storming the mainstream charts and new artists like Skepta, Gigs and Chipmunk are promoting themselves and enjoying success.

One of the talking points at the awards was how difficult it can be for black artists to break into the mainstream in the UK. Mary Wilson told us how different it was for her to start out and get recognition in her day. Tonight proved how much has changed in that respect.

The issue of race and the MOBO awards has been always been a big talking point, with Estelle previously hitting out at artists like Duffy and Adele. It’s been argued that there is a ‘blindness to Black talent’ in the music industry. Tonight’s awards certainly switched the spotlight on.

Jay Sean gave us an exclusive announcement straight after his performance, revealing that he’s joining Lil Wayne at the world famous Cash Money Records.
The US election was a hot issue, and it’s not a big surprise that there was a lot of support for Obama on the red carpet.
Browse the channel to have a look at Grace Jones vogueing it up backstage, and see interviews with Jamelia, Estelle, Chipmunk, John Legend and Mary Wilson, and many, many more.
Of course we got them ALL to sign an autographed record for our t5m MOBO competition, so enter here now!

R’n'B hottie Taio Cruz nattered to us backstage at the MOBOs post the performance of his single ‘She’s Like A Star’, where we saw him join forces with the insatiable Sugababes.

‘They featured on my single She’s Like A Star, on the remix, so we though we’d bring it to the stage and do a visual version.’

MOBO virgin and nominee on the night, Taio was obviously proud as punch to be a part of the Awards.

‘It’s Estelle’s year, all year. Loved watching her perform, loved the outfits; she’s got her music down, she’s got her style down too so we love her.’

It’s hard to disagree - it seemed everyone on the night was rooting for the West London girl.

The songstress took the time to let us know what has been going on in her life of late, from product lines to filming, but admitted that she just can’t wait finish her new material and get on tour. ‘I want to be back on the stage next year, I don’t want to be in the crowd.’

‘We just did an award for best gospel and we know probably more than anyone else that has given an award tonight what that feels like, when that envelope’s going and you’re just like, “Are they going to say our names?! Are they going to say our names?!”.’

Themselves a winner of the gospel award some years ago, they truly related to what the nominees go through at that crucial moment in the ceremony when they are waiting to see if it is their name being called out.

As David aptly put it, ‘When you’re at an awards ceremony, you really understand the meaning of the saying, “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, as long as you win”.’

Since her career kicked off in 1986 the songstress has seen a lot of changes in the industry and recognises the importance of the Awards since they were founded 13 years ago.

Still predominantly a mentor, it seems that she may be harbouring an urge to make a comeback. ‘Secretly, I have been working on some new material and I just have to work up the courage to show it to Simon now.’

Her tip of the day for any budding talent out there? ‘Originality, originality, originality.’ Enough said.