Nines and Mahalia are the big winners at the virtual 23rd Mobo Awards

Innes and Mahalia were the big winners at the 23rd Mobo Awards, each winning two big prizes.

Thirty-year-old rapper Nine from Harleston, northwest London, was named Best Hip Hop Act, while his third album topped the charts was Craps in a Bucket, the best album of the year.

Leicester-born singer Mahalia, 22, was voted Best Female Performance and Best R&B / Soul Act.

Following his success, he said: “I remember seeing my first mopos, coming first, I think it was in Leeds, it was an honor. Being here as a young black female artist and being recognized in this way is very special. ”

He was joined by YouTube creator, musician and comedian Chungs, who, in a twist, was declared the winner of the publicly voted best media personality Kong.

The event featured performances by Tottenham-born rapper Heidi One, “The King of the Drill”, M Hancho, Koji Radical and Ms Bank.

Heidi One, who topped Edna’s list in the UK in October, was named Best Male Performance, while Best Newcomer went to Manchester Rapper Ich, 21.

Eich, real name Harrison Armstrong said: “This is a good moment. Growing up watching Mobos. This would be a small highlight.

“2021, it’s going to be a huge year, so when I look back, when I think about the beginning of the year I won the Newcomer, God knows what’s going to happen at the end of this year.”

This year’s song went to Young D & Buzzie’s Don’t Rush, which featured Heidi One, while veteran actor Jam won the Best Grim Act award.

Following a year of working with Ed Sheeran, Stromsey and Sam Smith, Nigerian singer Barna Boy has been named Best International Performance.

Fellow Nigerian singer Whiskey took the best African action kong home.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen, who currently airs the Small Ax series on the BBC, has been awarded the Mobo Inspiration Award.

He said: “This is an extraordinary gift. thank you very much. I have the Mobo Awards as part of the Small Ax idea. When people didn’t want to recognize us, we recognized ourselves, which inspired me to move forward. ”

After being named Bafta’s rising star earlier this year, actor Michael Ward was given the best performance on a TV show or film conglomerate for his role as Marco in the gang drama Blue Story.

Following the release of his first album in a decade, Upside Down 2020, the best reggae action went to Jamaican Reggae and dance hall star Fuju Ponton.

MOBO founder Kanya King confirmed that the event organizers had overcome “many obstacles and barriers” and the 23rd edition of the event, which celebrates music with a black look.

King said: “This is not really any other year in many ways. That’s why we don’t want to bring any other show.

“This is a challenging year. We have overcome many obstacles and barriers. We’ve got (a) strong back muscle, but we’ve been realizing for a year that this has always been an important role for Mobo.

“We knew what challenges we would face. We wanted to end the year with a sign of hope for that year and ensure that we use the power of black culture to unite people because music has always had that influence and power to transcend cultural divisions.”

You can catch the show tonight at 10.45pm on BBC One.

All of the winners at the Mobo Awards 2020

– Best Male Action – Heidi One

– Best Female Act – Mahalia

– Album of the Year – Nines crabs in a bucket

– Video of the Year – NSG’s Lupita (Directed by Kevin Hudson)

– Best R&P / Soul Act – Mahalia

– Best Hip Hop Act – Nine

– Best Album (2017-2019) – All May All May

– Best Evangelism – Invited Music

– Best Jazz Action – Ego All May

– Best Reggae Action – Buju Ponton

– Best Producer – JAE5

– Best Newcomer – Ich

– Song of the Year – Featuring Young T & Bucky Head One – Don’t Hurry

– Best Performance in a TV Show / Movie – Michael Ward as Marco in Blue Story

– Best drastic action – Jam

– Best Media Personality – Chunks

– Best International Action – Barna Boy

– Best African Action – Whiskey