The MOBO Awards have released their list of nominees for this year’s awards. Since 1996, the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards have provided a great outlet for recognition of achievements by musicians in a variety of genres from the United Kingdom, Jamaica, and Africa. The Awards have previously been hosted by Afropop favorite Shaggy. This year Nigerian-British rapper Tinie Tempah will be among the performers. The show will take place October 19 in Glasgow.
Here are a few of the nominees for this year’s Awards that are worth checking out: Mavado (Nominated for Best Reggae Act)Dancehall star Mavado AKA the “Gully God” began his career when veteran DJ Bounty Killer took him under his wing and endorsed his debut single, “Real McKoy” in 2005. Since then, he has come to be one of the most consistently popular DJs in Jamaica, second only perhaps to the mighty Vybz Kartel.
Tarrus Riley (Nominated for Best Reggae Act)
Son of the renowned reggae singer Jimmy Riley, Tarrus Riley is one of the most popular and acclaimed of the second generation roots reggae singers. His work connects younger listeners to the greats of Jamaica’s musical past, as he has collaborated with legends like Dean Fraser and Sly & Robbie. Bombino (Nominated for Best African Act) Bombino first learned how to play the guitar when his relatives, Tuareg fighters in the 1990 rebellion against the governments of Mali and Niger, left behind their instruments when they went into battle. Since that early start, Bombino has become increasingly well known. His latest album, produced by the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, is a powerful, often astonishing step forward. Definitely an Afropop favorite!Seun Kuti (Nominated for Best African Act)
The youngest son of afrobeat innovator, human rights activist and all around musical legend Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti is the leader of Egypt 80, a continuation of the band that his father formed over 30 years ago. Seun, who began performing with the band at the age of nine and took over after his father died in 1997, has carried on Fela's legacy of politically aware and rhetorically fiery music, attacking the corporations that are exploiting Nigeria's natural resources in his last album's title track, "Rise."
Spoek Mathambo (Nominated for Best African Act) Spoek Mathambo, the Afro-Futurist singer, DJ, and Producer from South Africa, coined the term "Township Tech" to describe his style of distinctly South African electronic music.