Virtual MOBOs proves enlightening for winners
After a two-year break, the MOBO Awards returned with a socially-distant show which was hosted by Maya Jama and Chunkz, and broadcast on YouTube.
Mahalia and Nines both won two awards, with Mahalia taking home Best R&B/Soul and Best Female and Nines winning Best Album and Best Hip Hop act, with Mahalia saying: "As a young Black artist at the MOBOs, everything it stands for and holds is really special."
Young T and Bugsey who were awarded Best Song for Don't Rush, released their mixtape at the start of the year, with plans for tours and other live performances.
"All artists have had to learn how to manoeuvre through it, hopefully next year shows will be back again," Bugsey.
Aitch, who picked up Best Newcomer, said the event was a good end to a bad year. He said: "It's sick to be recognised for what I'm doing."
In a year like no other, Aitch says time away from touring and performances has had some advantages. "Some things have happened that wouldn't have happened if I was out on the road."
Chunkz won Best Media Personality up against names including Clara Amfo, Mo Gilligan and co-host Maya Jama. With social-distancing measures in place, it might not have been the best year to host such a big event. But, after the MOBOs were cancelled in 2018 and 2019, founder Kanya King said she "felt like she had to" bring them back.
She said: "Entertainment and activism have always gone hand in hand, and we're using the power of Black culture to empower and uplift people."
This year's ceremony also included a one-off category to retrospectively award the best albums released between September 2017 and August 2019; won by Ella Mai.
He was referring to a decade-old song that leaked in 2019, on which he said "of course I side with Chris Brown".
Zeus appears on Eminem's surprise album Music to be Murdered By Side B. The album, which accompanies January's Music to be Murdered By, has just been release.
At the time the track leaked last year, Eminem's spokesperson said: "This is a leak of something that's over 10 years old. After Eminem recorded it, he scrapped it, and rewrote it."
On his new track, he admitted the original lyric "was wrong of me". Chris Brown pleaded guilty to the assault in 2009, receiving five years probation and a community service order.
Eminem and Rihanna have collaborated several times, including on 2010's US number one single Love the Way You Lie, as well as Numb on her 2012 album Unapologetic and The
Monster from The Marshall Mathers LP 2 in 2013.
The rapper's new album features collaborations with Dr Dre, Ty Dolla $ign, J Premier and Skylar Gray.
