Wizkid scores two more MOBO Awards

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

• Arlo Parks
• ArrDee
• BackRoad Gee
• Berwyn
• Central Cee
• Enny
• Joy Crookes
• Midas the Jagaban
• PinkPantheress
• Wes Nelson

Video of the Year

• ‘Hot Hot’ by Bree Runway
• ‘Money Talks’ by Fredo ft. Dave
• ‘Woman’ by Little Simz ft. Cleo Sol
• ‘Lagga’ by M1llionz
• ‘My Family’ by Pa Salieu ft. BackRoad Gee
• ‘Mazza’ by Slowthai ft. A$AP Rocky

Best R&B/Soul Act

• Bellah
• Cleo Sol
• Jorja Smith
• Sault
• Tiana Major9
• Wstrn

Best Grime Act

• Bugzy Malone
• Chip
• D Double E
• Frisco
• Ghetts
• Skepta

Best Hip Hop Act

• Dave
• D-Block Europe
• Fredo
• Little Simz
• Potter Payper
• Slowthai

Best Drill Act

• Central Cee
• Digga D
• Headie One
• K Trap
• Loski
• M1llionz
• Russ Millions
• SR
• Tion Wayne
• Unknown T

Best Performance in a TV Show/Film

• Ashley Thomas – Them
• Damson Idris – Snowfall
• Daniel Kaluuya – Judas & the Black Messiah
• Letitia Wright – Small Axe
• Micheal Ward – Small Axe

Best Media Personality

• Charlene White
• Chunkz & Yung Filly
• Harry Pinero
• Henrie Kwushue
• Julie Adenuga
• Maya Jama
• Mo Gilligan
• Munya Chawawa
• Nella Rose
• Zeze Millz

Best Gospel Act

• CalledOut Music
• Cece Winans
• Guvna B
• Kirk Franklin
• Maverick City Music
• SO

Best Reggae Act

• Lila Ike
• Popcaan
• Sean Paul
• Shenseea
• Skillibeng
• Spice

Best Jazz Act

• Alfa Mist
• Blue Lab Beats
• Emma-Jean Thackray
• Jacob Collier
• Nubiyan Twist
• Sons of Kemet

Best Producer

• Gotcha
• Jae5
• Juls
• M1OnTheBeat
• P2J
• TSB