MOBOs in Coventry: 'It shows you don't have to be from London, Birmingham or Manchester'
By ITV News Production Journalist Bron Mills
The MOBO Awards will be held in Coventry this December, marking the first time the ceremony has been held in the Midlands.
Launched in 1996, the awards are the UK’s biggest celebration of black music and culture.
Two singers from Coventry, who rose to fame from the latest series of The Voice, Jordan and Wesley have told ITV Central they are thrilled about the event coming to their hometown.
The duo said: "It's a huge surprise, but a good one".
"It shows local talent in Coventry that you don't have to be from London, Birmingham or Manchester to get recognition," the brothers added.
Jordan said "To have the MOBOs in Coventry in this City of Culture 2021 season is a great thing. And, if they want us to be a part of it they can give us a call"
"I think it puts us on the map a bit more" added Wesley. "and raises the profile of Coventry. Coventry has talent and has things to offer and things to give so I'm glad that the masses can see that".
Jordan and Wesley made it through to the final eight in the 2021 series of The Voice on the team led by Olly Murs.
The gospel singing duo said: "for the younger artists that are up and coming, it's a source of inspiration for them as well, to see that their music can be recognised on platforms such as the MOBOs".
"You don't have to come from a major or large city in order for you to make it somewhere in life"
"You can come from somewhere like Coventry, or somewhere smaller and still be recognised for the talent that you have. So keep going for their dreams and to keep pushing because anything is possible".
Colin Bell, Chair of the Coventry Carribbean Association, MC'd the announcement at the Coventry Building Society Arena this morning.
He told ITV Central: "When I first got the call, I thought they were lying, stuff like that doesn't happen in Coventry. And when they asked me to MC the event... I'm not going to say no to that."
"It's terrific for the city"
Mr Bell said: "It's an opportunity for Coventry to showcase itself."
"The City is poor at selling itself, so for an event that is the pinnacle of black music to come to the home of black and white music together, two-tone, it's the perfect place at the perfect time."
Colin MC'd the announcement and met Coventry rappers A1 and J1, as well as Pauline Black from 70s fame.
Mr Bell described the awards as the "pinnacle, for anybody making music of black origin". He said "many people making any music of black origin, want to win a MOBO".
He hopes having the ceremony in Coventry will "stimulate" more artists to think bigger with their own hopes and dreams.
The live event is back for the first time since 2017
In last years virtual event, Mahalia from Leicestershire won two awards. She took home Best R&B/Soul and Best Female, following her acclaimed 2019 album 'Love and Compromise.'
Her 2020 EP 'Isolation Tapes' was partly recorded during the first COVID-19 lockdown
Nottingham rap duo Young T and Bugsey were awarded Best Song for 'Don't Rush.' This award was voted for by the public.
The Nottingham duo said the viral "Don't Rush Challenge" helped it become such a staple sound of 2020.
Bugsey said: "Day by day it was just growing and getting bigger and bigger, we had no idea that would happen."