The 2017 MOBO Nominations Highlight a Great Year for UK Music

Now that the 2017 MOBOs has announced all its categories, it seems like a pretty good time to reflect. Though this year has been, to put it bluntly, shit, it has been a great year for young black artists making their mark on the UK mainstream, and the awards' plentiful categories demonstrate just that.

Early on in the year, Stormzy released Gang Signs & Prayer, his debut album, which reached number one on the UK chart and earned him a place on the Mercury Prize shortlist. He leads the nominations, with nods in five categories, including Best Male Act and Best Album. The winner of the Mercury, Sampha, is nominated for three awards, while J Hus and Loyle Carner, both of whom were also up for the prize, have four and three MOBO nods respectively.

To look at the categories as an overview of where we're at right now is actually really exciting. Take the Best Newcomer category for example: it's filled with people like Dave and Jorja Smith who are already leading their fields, bringing a jolt of freshness. It's an exciting, optimistic time to be involved in urban music in the UK, and for once, it feels like an awards ceremony is actually reflecting what people are listening to, and what is changing culture for the better. See the full list of nominations below:

Best male
Bugzy Malone
Chip
Dave
Giggs
J Hus
Maleek Berry
Mostack
Sampha
Skepta
Stormzy

Best female
Emeli Sandé
Jessie Ware
Jorja Smith
Lady Leshurr
Little Simz
Mabel
Nadia Rose
NAO
Ray BLK
Stefflon Don

Best album
J Hus – Common Sense
Nines – One Foot Out
Sampha – Process
Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer
Wretch 32 – Growing Over Life

Best newcomer
Dave
Jorja Smith
Kojo Funds
Lotto Boyz
Loyle Carner
Mabel
Mist
Not3s
Stefflon Don
Yxng Bane

Best song
J Hus – 'Did You See'
Kojo Funds feat. Abra Cadabra – 'Dun Talkin''
Not3s – 'Addison Lee'
Stormzy – 'Big For Your Boots'
Yungen feat. Yxng Bane – 'Bestie'

Best video
Bossman Birdie – Walk The Walk
J Hus – Spirit
Loyle Carner – The Isle Of Arran
Mist – Hot Property
Stormzy – Big For Your Boots

Best hip-hop act
Giggs
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Nines
Stefflon Don
Wretch 32

Best grime act
AJ Tracey
Chip
P Money
Skepta
Stormzy
Wiley

Best R&B/soul act
Craig David
Jorja Smith
NAO
Ray BLK
Sampha

Best international act
Cardi B
DJ Khaled
Drake
Jay Z
Kendrick Lamar
Migos
Solange
SZA
Travis Scott
Wizkid

Best African act
Davido
Eugy
Juls
Maleek Berry
Mr Eazi
Sarkodie
Tekno
Tiwa Savage
Wande Coal
Wizkid

Best reggae act
Aidonia
Alkaline
Chronixx
Damian Marley
Popcaan

Best jazz act
Cleveland Watkiss
Daymé Arocena
Moses Boyd
Mr Jukes
Terrace Martin

Best gospel act
Lurine Cato
Mali Music
S.O.
Triple O
Volney Morgan & New-Ye

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