MOBO Awards 2017: Davido and Wizkid named winners

30 Nov 2017 - 15:08

Nigeria’s top popstars Davido and Wizkid emerged as winners at the 2018 MOBO Awards, which took place yesterday at the Leeds Arena in the UK.

Wizkid was named the winner of the MOBO award for Best International Act. Photo: Twitter

Both artists have taken several awards over the past few weeks, with attending shenanigans. On the night Wizkid was named the winner of the Artist of the Year at the All Africa Music Awards, Davido won two awards at the European MTV Awards. Subsequently, Davido took to social media to announce his win and take shots at his rival, with fans taking sides.

That might not happen following the MOBOs, as Davido, who performed at the event, took the Best African Act Award. For his part, Wizkid was named Best International Act, beating off competition in a category that included Jay-Z, Drake, DJ Khaled and Kendrick Lamar.

Wizkid already had two MOBO trophies from winning in 2011 and last year. But this win is the first time an artist working on the continent has won the Best International Act category. Wizkid has also equalled Fuse ODG's record of three MOBOs.

Since reports of Wizkid’s win reached his country, the ‘Ojuelegba’ singer has received several notes of congratulations. Ben Murray-Bruce, a prominent Nigerian media man and politician, said congrats via Twitter.

“Dear @wizkidayo,” Murray-Bruce wrote, “I‘ve been in the entertainment business as an investor since 1980 and one of my proudest moments for Nigerian music is the day you defeated both Jayz and Drake, two of the biggest stars in the world, to win the Best international Act at the #MOBOAwards. Well done.”

The former president of Nigeria took to Facebook to express his joy. “When Nigeria does well, I cannot help but feel well,” he posted. “My happiness is tied to the happiness of Nigeria and when Nigerians break records and take the name of Nigeria to greater heights it exhilarates me. Thank you Wizkid for raising Nigeria’s flag high for the positive, not the negative. Your emergence as the Best International Act at the #MOBOAwards is a proud moment for Nigeria. And the fact that you emerged over JAY-Z and Drake makes it even more celebratory. WELL DONE.”

The night’s big winner was Stormzy. The British rapper of Ghanaian descent was named Best Male Act and Best Grime Act. His Gang Signs & Prayer was named the year’s best album.

Full list of winners below: