Manchester rapper Aitch to star in Mobo Awards

Manchester rapper Aitch is the latest act to be added to the Mobo Awards, which are being be held in his home city for the first time on its 30th anniversary.

Another artist on the line up is British singer songwriter Myles Smith, who will also star in the awards which celebrate black music and culture on 26 March at the Co-Op Live Arena.

The pair join already join announced performers Olivia Dean, FLO, Tiwa Savage and the MOBO Salutes: Grime 25 medley with Wiley, Chip, Nolay, Scorcher and D Double E.

In the lead-up to the ceremony, organisers are hosting a week-long fringe festival in Manchester featuring industry panel discussions, live music and workshops.

Aitch, who is lined up for Best Hip Hop Act, won his first Mobo Award in 2020 for Best Newcomer and gained two further nominations in 2022 for Album of the Year and Song of The Year.

Last year he launched his album "4", which topped the UK independent album chart and was hailed by Rolling Stone UK as a "blistering return to form".

Myles Smith, who is nominated for Song Of The Year, has performed to more than 100,000 fans across sold-out headline shows throughout the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America, as well as delivering what the awards organisers have described as a "standout set to a packed audience at Glastonbury last year.

Started in London in 1996, the Mobo Awards have since been held all over the UK.

Founder Kanya King said it made sense for the awards to be held in the city as "music is in Manchester's DNA".

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