Goldie’s revolutionary drum and bass debut Timeless received the award for best album at the very first MOBOs in 1996, and Tupac’s California Love video was awarded the award for best video. After twenty-five years, the ritual is still thriving.
As the MOBO Awards commemorate its 25th anniversary, creator and chief executive Kanya King told that she is “doubling down” on efforts to ensure that the music industry offers opportunities on and off stage to people of various ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds.
“You are now beginning to see directors and chairpeople of color who are blazing new trails and altering the status quo,” she says. Of course, there is still much work to be done, but for us, it’s time to double down. It is not only about creating possibilities in the spotlight, but also behind the scenes.”
The MOBOs celebrate and elevate black music in the United Kingdom, playing a pivotal role in supporting the growth of black British music internationally and championing homegrown talent – frequently championing artists who have gone on to sell millions, including some of the biggest names in rap, hip-hop, RnB, soul, grime, drill, gospel, jazz, reggae, drum and bass, and beyond.
Grime singer Stormzy is among those who credit the MOBOs with having a significant impact on his career. He told King that hearing hip-hop duo Krept & Konan perform at the ceremony prompted him to quit his job and pursue his passion.
She explains, “I believe his sister went to school with one of them; they were unsigned at the time, but we gave them a platform, and he was enthused and felt he could do it too.”
In 1996, at the very first presentation, Goldie’s pioneering drum & bass debut Timeless won the award for best album, and less than a month after Tupac Shakur’s murder, the rapper was posthumously awarded the award for best video for his song California Love.
Tony Blair, the then-opposition leader, was a surprise guest at the sit-down dinner that evening when he mingled with music stars and celebrities. King had invited him, but she acknowledges that they had not anticipated that he would be able to attend.
According to the MOBO chief executive, the turnout was amazing, but few realized that night that King, then a young TV researcher and single mother, had remortgaged her home against her mother’s wishes to fund the ceremony at London’s Connaught Rooms.
She states, “I was told there is no demand for it that black music does not sell.” “You are aware that nobody will support it. It’s too dangerous; you’re wasting your time.”
King was motivated by her dissatisfaction that the black artists she admired were being disregarded.
People said we shouldn’t use the term ‘black,’ but I saw it as something to be honored and proud of. I desired to see more voices and representation since no narratives were being told.”
Jazzie B, the creator of the music group Soul II Soul, vividly recalls the evening. His band had recently returned to the United Kingdom after winning multiple prizes in the United States. The music producer, who received the MOBO award for best contribution to black music, recalls being perplexed by their lack of recognition in the United Kingdom at the time.
“Not receiving any correspondence from home seemed unusual,” he tells. However, we were frequently misconstrued; many members of the British press were unaware that we were British.
Regarding King, he continues, “This amazing lady appears out of nowhere… and it was a joy to collect that award on home territory.”
Since its inception, the MOBO Awards have supported several musicians and vocalists. Following a hiatus in 2018 and 2019, the gala resumed in 2020, this time honoring performers such as Headie One and Mahalia. Dave and the recently announced winner of the Mercury Prize, Little Simz, were among the acts that won awards in 2021.
According to Jazzie B, the significance of King’s contribution to the mainstreaming of black music and culture cannot be emphasized.
“This was a woman of color honoring people of color, and it made a significant difference in terms of, you know, elevating us all,” he explains.
“The fact that this was a woman with authority and strength has paved the way for many of our sisters, mothers, and grandmothers, I believe.” To demonstrate that patience works, look.
“At the time, no black people were working behind the scenes, unless they were receptionists or security guards. From this perspective, it was challenging. What Kanya did was elevate our community… we respected our own, but I believe Kanya believed this needed to be a little more publicized, a little more mainstream. That marked the beginning of significant change.”
