Music stars set for Mobo Awards

Estelle has been nominated for five awards at this year's ceremony

Artists including Estelle and Leona Lewis are preparing for the Music of Black Origin (Mobo) Awards ceremony, held later at London's Wembley Arena.

R&B star Estelle leads the nominations after being listed five times - for best UK female, album and song, and in the R&B/soul and video categories.

X Factor winner Lewis is also up for three awards - best UK female, best video and best album for Spirit.

The ceremony will be hosted by Spice Girl Mel B and Run DMC founder Rev Run.

All categories have been decided as a result of votes from the public.

Other nominees include last year's best male winner, Dizzee Rascal, who is nominated again for best male, as well as for best song and best hip-hop act.

Dizzee Rascal has three nominations, including song of the year

Estelle and Lewis will battle with Adele, Duffy, and MIA for best female.

International Mobo nominees include Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Mary J Blige, Ne-Yo, Usher, Akon and Alicia Keys.

An R&B/soul prize has been added this year after protests by soul singers following last year's ceremony.

Mel B, who last presented the Mobos in 1999, said: "I am really excited to be returning as host to this year's awards ceremony.

"I have witnessed the rise of Estelle and Leona Lewis in the US, and 2008 has been an incredible year for music of black origin on both sides of the Atlantic."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version