Wizkid and Burna Boy were among the biggest winners at the 2020 Mobo awards which were returning for the first time since 2017 to celebrate the music of Black origin.
Leading the way, Wizkid was named the Best African Act edging the likes of Tiwa Savage, Davido, Burna Boy, Fireboy DML, Rema, Master KG, Adekunle Gold, NSG, Afro B, Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale.
Burna Boy, dubbed by his latest album "African Giant", came close to winning the Grammys last year is also in the running for the next Grammys bagged the coveted Best International Act following an incredibly successful year. The 29-year-old defeated the likes Drake, Koffee, Megan Thee Stallion, Pop Smoke, Popcaan, Roddy Ricch, Rema, Shenseaa, Summer Walker, HER and the late Lil Baby.
The Mobo awards in 2018 announced it would go on hiatus for a year but its return was later postponed until 2020. Founder Kanya King, who set up the awards in 1996, disclosed to journalist regarding the time off: “We were asking ourselves: is Mobo still needed?” The ceremony marked its fallow years with a one-off award for the best album released in the period, given to R&B singer Ella Mai for her self-titled debut that became the huge US hit in 2018.
Hosted by Maya Jama and Chunkz (the comedian-musician who was also voted best media personality by the public), the live-streamed ceremony featured performances by two of Nigeria’s biggest pop stars Tiwa Savage and Davido, Headie One (featuring M Huncho) and Young T & Bugsey, Ms Banks, Kojey Radical and Shaybo, Stylo G and soul singer Tiana Major9. From outside the UK, R&B singer HER, nominated for three Grammys including song of the year, performed her song Damage.
Full list of winners
Album of the year: Nines – Crabs in a Bucket
Best male act: Headie One
Best female act: Mahalia
Song of the year (public vote): Young T & Bugsey – Don’t Rush (feat Headie One)
Best newcomer (public vote): Aitch
Video of the year: NSG – Lupita
Best R&B/soul act: Mahalia
Best hip-hop act: Nines
Best grime act (public vote): JME
Best international act (public vote): Burna Boy
Best performance in a TV show/film: Michael Ward as Marco, Blue Story
Best media personality: Chunkz
Best album 2017-2019: Ella Mai – Ella Mai
Best African act: Wizkid
Best reggae act: Buju Banton
Best gospel act: CalledOut Music
Best jazz act: Ego Ella May
Best producer: Jae5
Inspiration award: Steve McQueen