Tiwa Savage, Stonebwoy, Master KG up for 2020 MOBO Awards

Founded in 1996 by Kanya King, the awards platform celebrates black British music and honours musicians across hip hop, grime, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel and African music. This year, the awards have been expended to include two new categories, namely Best Media Personality and Best Performance in a TV Show/Film.

“As always, the awards will be a fun and dynamic event full of special surprises,” the MOBO organisers said. “However, this year, a strong vein of cultural purpose and social commentary will weave through the ceremony as we articulate a vision of the world as it is, but also as we want it to be. This is a year in which so many voices have been raised higher than ever – in protest, in mourning, but also in celebration of the incredible contributions that black culture has made all around the world. MOBO continues to believe in the power of the culture to bring people together.”

Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido will look to defend the Best African Act title, which he won in 2017, the last time the ceremony was held. To achieve this, he must beat competition from colleagues Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Fireboy DML, Rema and Adekunle Gold, who also secured nominations in the category alongside South Africa’s Master KG, Ivory Coast’s Afro B, and Ghanaian dancehall singers Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy, as well as London-based rap group NSG.

Burna Boy and Rema also scored nods in the Best International Act category, which was last won by Wizkid. They were shortlisted alongside American acts Drake, Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Summer Walker, H.E.R and the late drill act Pop Smoke. The others are Jamaica’s Koffee, Popcaan and Shenseaa.

Wizkid and Ghana’s Fuse ODG are the African acts with the most MOBO trophies, having bagged three each. Other African winners at the awards include 2Baba, D’banj and Nneka, as well as Ghanaian dancehall singer Samini.

This year’s MOBO Awards will be held for the first time in three years. In 2018, the organisers announced the deferment of the programme to allow for a “bigger, revamped show”, but the awards are now making their return due to “positive changes” and “more determination and energy to support and boost our culture wherever we can,” King said. 

This year’s ceremony will be livestreamed for the first time on YouTube. Broadcaster Maya Jama and YouTube creator, music artist and comedian Chunkz have been named as hosts. Tiwa Savage, Headie One, M Huncho and Ms Banks will perform on the night.