Thursday 11 September 2008

Estelle Leads MOBO Nominations


R&B star Estelle leads the way at this year's Music of Black Origin (Mobo) Awards with five nominations.
The 28-year-old, who went to number one with American Boy in March, is up for best song, best UK female, best R&B/soul, best video and best album.
Leona Lewis has been nominated for three awards - best UK female, best video and best album for Spirit.
The 13th Mobo Awards, hosted by Spice Girl Mel B and Run-DMC's Rev Run, will be held at Wembley Arena on 15 October.
The best female category will reignite the rivalry between Estelle, Adele and Duffy.
Earlier this year, Estelle said of the pair's rise: "It's hilarious. I'm not mad at 'em - but I'm just wondering, how the hell is there not a single black person in the press singing soul?
"Adele ain't soul. She sounds like she heard some Aretha records once and she's got a deeper voice - that don't mean she's soul."
Leona Lewis and MIA - both of whom have enjoyed huge success in the US in recent months - will also join what is likely to be the most hotly contested category of the night.
The Mobo organisers agreed with Estelle, though, that Duffy and Adele are not soul, leaving the pair off the shortlist for the best R&B/soul prize.
Estelle will contest that award with Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Usher and Jay Sean.
The soul element has been added this year after protests by soul singers at last year's ceremony.
Other nominees include last year's best male winner Dizzee Rascal, who is nominated again for best male, as well as best song and best hip-hop.
Wiley, Jay Sean, Taio Cruz and Sway complete the best male line-up.
Kanya King, Mobo chief executive, said: "Hip-hop and R&B have emerged as popular music, not just genres beloved by a minority, and British artists are at the forefront.
"It's fantastic to see artists like Estelle, who Mobo championed early on, get their due.
"I'd like to call on the music industry to keep up the good work and capitalise on this. There are still barriers out there. Estelle had to go to America to really break through and be given her big chance.
"The talent is undoubtedly here, let's get behind them."

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