Wizkid scores two more MOBO Awards

6 Dec 2021 - 12:09

Afrobeats star Wizkid won the Best International Act and Best African Act trophies at this year’s Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards at Coventry Building Society Arena in the UK on 5 December.

Wizkid. Photo: Kymages

The MOBO Awards have been celebrating artists in hip hop, grime, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel and African music since 1996. This year, they were expanded to include two new categories: Best Media Personality and Best Performance in a TV Show/Film.

This is Wizkid’s fourth victory in the Best African Act category after winning it in 2011, 2016 and 2020. On Sunday, the ‘Essence’ star beat off competition from fellow Nigerians Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, CKay, Davido, Rema, Tems and Tiwa Savage as well as Ghanaian singer King Promise and UK-based Afro-swing collective NSG Music. The victory comes on the heels of Wizkid’s recent announcement as Artist of the Year for Africa at the third annual Apple Music Awards. He also won the Best African Act Award at the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards on 14 November.

His MOBO Best African Act triumph was announced by reality TV star Kaz Kamwi and broadcaster DJ Abrantee, who is credited with coining the term ‘Afrobeats’, the genre that Wizkid is mostly associated with. “African music, like the continent it originates from, is rich and full of character,” Kamwi, who accepted the award on Wizkid’s behalf, said. “Once an unfamiliar sound in an unfamiliar place, the music now packs out arenas and enlightens people from across the country and the world. Everyone wants the Afro sound.”

Wizkid edged Rema, Skillibeng, Drake, Doja Cat, Kanye West, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, Polo G and Young Stoner Life to take home the Best International Act Award, which he also won in 2017.

Elsewhere, British-Nigerian rapper Dave took home the coveted Album of the Year Award for his sophomore offering We’re All Alone in This Together, while Little Simz, who is also of Nigerian descent, was named Best Female Act.

Wizkid is up for the Best Global Music Album Award and the newly introduced Best Global Music Performance Award at the 2022 Grammys, which will take place on 31 January.

Below is the full list of 2021 MOBO winners:

Best International Act

Doja Cat
Drake
Kanye West
Lil Nas X
Megan Thee Stallion
Polo G
Rema
Skillibeng
Wizkid
Young Stoner Life (Young Thug & Gunna)

Best African Act

Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Ckay
Davido
King Promise
NSG
Rema
Tems
Tiwa Savage
Wizkid

Best Male Act

AJ Tracey
Central Cee
Dave
Ghetts
Headie One
Potter Payper

Best Female Act

Arlo Parks
Bree Runway
Cleo Sol
Little Simz
Shaybo
Tiana Major9

Album of the Year

Collapsed in Sunbeams by Arlo Parks
Not Your Muse by Celeste
Mother by Cleo Sol
We’re All Alone in This Together by Dave
Conflict of Interest by Ghetts
Edna by Headie One

Song of the Year

‘Latest Trends’ by A1 x J1
‘Commitment Issues’ by Central Cee
‘Clash’ by Dave ft. Stormzy
‘Peng Black Girls’ by Enny ft. Amia Brave
‘My Family’ by Pa Salieu ft. BackRoad Gee
‘Body (Remix)’ by Tion Wayne & Russ Millions ft. ArrDee, Bugzy Malone, Buni, Darkoo, E1, ZT & Fivio Foreign

Best Newcomer