The shortlists are out for this year’s MOBO awards, with Laura Mvula and Kano leading the pack with four nominations and Skepta and Giggs shortly behind on three a piece. Taking place in Glasgow on Friday 4 November, the ceremony will mark the 21st birthday of the annual award, which has celebrated “Music of Black Origin” since 1996. With all of the categories bar Best Album and Best Grime Act open for voting on the website, you can have your say on who has been cream of the crop in 2016, so check out the full list of nominations below and then head to https://voting.mobo.com/ to make you decision.
Best African Act
Eugy
Kwamz & Flava
Mista Silva
Moelogo
Mr Eazi
Olamide
Tekno Miles
Tiwa Savage
Wizkid
Yemi Alade
Best Album
Laura Mvula - The Dreaming Room
Giggs - Landlord
Kano - Made in the Manor
Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate
Skepta - Konnichiwa
Best Female Act
Katy B
Lady Leshurr
Laura Mvula
Little Simz
Nao
Best Gospel Act
Andrew Bello
Guvna B
S.O.
Sarah Teibo
Volney Morgan & New-Ye
Best Grime Act
AJ Tracey
Kano
Chip
Skepta
Stormzy
Best Hip-Hop Act
Fekky
Giggs
Little Simz
Section Boyz
Wretch 32
Best International Act
Anderson .Paak
Beyonce
Bryson Tiller
Chance the Rapper
DJ Khaled
Drake
Frank Ocean
Justin Bieber
Kanye West
Kaytranada
Major Lazer
Partynextdoor
Rihanna
Tory Lanez
Travis Scott
Best Jazz Act
Bill Laurence
Cory Henry
Esperanza Spalding
Jacob Collier
Michael Janisch
Best Male Act
Craig David
Kano
Skepta
Stormzy
Tinie Tempah
Best Newcomer
67
AJ Tracey
Anne Marie
Avelino
Izzy Bizu
Kojey Radical
Mostack
Nadia Rose
Ray Blk
WSTRN
Best Reggae Act
Alkaline
Kranium
Popcaan
Protoje
Spice
Best RNB/Soul Act
James Blake
Laura Mvula
Michael Kiwanuka
Nao
Shakka
Best Song
Abra Dababra ft. Krept & Konan - Robbery (Remix)
Chase & Status ft. Frisco - Funny
Craig David ft. Big Narstie - When The Bassline Drops
Ghetts - You Dun Know Already
J Hus - Friendly
Jorja Smith - Blue Lights
Kano ft. Wiley & Giggs - 3 Wheel-Ups
Lethal Bizzle - Wobble
M.O - Who Do You Think Of?
Naughty Boy ft. Beyonce & Arrow Benjamin - Runnin’ (Lose It All)
Tinie Tempah ft. Zara Larsson - Girls Like
WSTRN - In2
Best Video
Bugzy Malone - Moving
Kojey Radical - Footsteps
Laura Mvula - Phenomenal Woman
M.I.A - Borders
Nadia Wood - Skwod
Words by Andrew Kemp
Photo courtesy of Kano