Nominations were revealed this morning for the 20th annual MOBO Awards, with acts from the grime and UK rap scenes securing a massive 27 nominations across all categories.
South London rap duo Krept & Konan picked up four nominations (Best Male, Best Hip-Hop, Best Album, Best Song) in light of their debut LP, The Long Way Home, becoming the highest charting Brit-rap record this year. JME also joined the pair on four nominations, with Stormzy and Skepta following behind with three nods apiece. Speaking at the launch this morning at Ronnie Scott's in Soho, an excited Stormzy shared with us: "I'm gassed! Big up all the fans."
A special announcement was also made, revealing that grime godfather Wiley would be the first recipient of the inaugural Paving The Way Award. A paving stone to "immortalise his legacy" will be placed in a meaningful location to the East End star, who chose his former secondary—Bow School.
The 20th annual MOBO Awards will be held at Leeds' First Direct Arena on Wednesday 4th November. It will also be aired live on ITV2. Check out the full list of nominees below. Voting opens tomorrow (except for the Best Grime category, which opens on October 10).
Updated on Nov. 5: The winners can be found in bold below.
Best Male
Skepta
Mark Ronson
Krept And Konan
JME
Stormzy
Best Female
FKA twigs
Little Simz
Ella Eyre
Lianne La Havas
Jess Glynne
Best Album
Krept & Konan – The Long Way Home
JME – Integrity>
Lianne La Havas – Blood
Wiley – Snakes & Ladders
Jamie xx – In Colour
Best Song
Mark Ronson f/ Bruno Mars – "Uptown Funk"
Skepta – "Shutdown"
Tinie Tempah f/ Jess Glynne – "Not Letting Go"
JME f/ Giggs – "Man Don't Care"
Krept & Konan – "Freak Of The Week"
Best Video
Stormzy – "Know Me From"
FKA twigs – "Pendulum"
Rita Ora f/ Chris Brown – "Body On Me"
Lethal Bizzle – "Fester Skank"
FKA twigs – "Glass & Patron"
Best Newcomer
Bugzy Malone
Section Boyz
Nao
Bonkaz
Nick Brewer
George The Poet
J Hus
Snakehips
Sinead Harnett
Yungen
Best International Album
Drake – If You're Reading This It's Too Late
J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hill Drive
Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
Dr Dre – Compton: A Soundtrack By Dr. Dre
The Weeknd – Beauty Behind The Madness
D'Angelo – Black Messiah
Jazmine Sullivan – Reality Show
The Internet – Ego Death
Tyrese – Black Rose
A$AP Rocky – At.Long.Last.A$AP
Best Hip-Hop
Akala
Krept & Konan
Nines
Little Simz
Lady Leshurr
Best Grime
Bugzy Malone
JME
Lethal Bizzle
Skepta
Stormzy
Best R&B/Soul Act
Kwabs
Andreya Triana
Shakka
Lianne La Havas
Joss Stone
Best Reggae
Stylo G
Chronixx
Omi
Popcaan
Protoje
Best African
Fuse ODG
Davido
Wizkid
Patoranking
Moelogo
Yemi Alade
Aka
Mista Silva
Shatta Wale
Silvastone
Best Jazz
Binker & Moses
Julia Biel
Courtney Pine
David Lyttle
Polar Bear
Best Gospel
Chos3n
Olaedo Ibe
Leroy Johnson
Ni-cola
Faith Child