MOBOs 2021: Dave and Little Simz lead nominations as awards to return for first live show since 2017
Dave, Arlo Parks and Little Simz lead this year’s MOBOs nominations as the awards return in Coventry for its first live show since 2017.
The Thiago Silva singer is up for five awards, including best male act, best hip hop act, album of the year, song of the year, and video of the year.
Mercury Prize winner Parks is up for three awards - including best newcomer, best female act and album of the year.
And Little Simz will contest best female act, but is also nominated for best hip hop act and video of the year.
The annual awards ceremony recognises and celebrates black music and culture and will return live next month, with the host yet to be announced.
The Mobo awards will take place on December 5 at Coventry Building Society Arena.
Organisers said the nominees had shown "talent and range" but also "resilience" following a challenging 20 months during the coronavirus pandemic.
This year sees the introduction of a new award for best drill act, with nominees including Headie One, Tion Wayne, Unknown and Digga D.
The event will also celebrate the best of African music, reggae, jazz, gospel and R&B/soul in distinct categories, plus actors, media personalities, producers and international acts
Rapper Central Cee also makes an impressive Mobo debut with four nominations for best newcomer, best male act, best drill act and song of the year.
Other nominees for the best newcomer award are Backroad Gee, Enny, Joy Crookes and Pinkpantheress.
Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya scores a nomination for best performance in a TV show/film for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah, alongside Black Panther co-star Letitia Wright, who picks up a nomination for her part in British anthology series Small Axe – directed by Steve McQueen.
Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of Mobo Group, said: "The past 20 months have been extremely challenging for artists everywhere but as always we are seeing creatives rise up and adapt, even in a global pandemic.
"This year’s crop of Mobo nominees have not only shown resilience but incredible talent and range.
"We could not be prouder to celebrate their achievements across the 18 categories that span genres, as well as excellence in TV, film and media.
"Congratulations and best of luck to all of our nominees. Here’s to a big night."