As you may or may not know, The MOBO Awards (Music Of Black Origin) have received a lot of positive and uplifting media attention since yesterday’s MOBO Nominations Launch event due to the rise of successful artists specifying in black and urban music. Names such as J Hus and Stormzy are leading the number of nominations that they’ve received this year, followed by various numbers of upcoming artists such as Jorja Smith, Ray BLK and Lotto Boyz.
Since the MOBO Awards was established in 1996 by Kanya King, the concept of the annual award ceremony is to appreciate and promote the talent of Black British culture. Overtime, so many more artists are becoming a lot more respected and recognised in the music industry and is breaking the stereotypical stigmas of what black music is negatively connected to.
As well as MOBOs being such an amazing platform for musicians to promote their art at the award ceremonies and on social media platforms, they also help and promote other annual projects that are involved in the media and arts industry such as The BRIT Trust & BFI’s London Film Festival. I had the amazing opportunity to attend the “Chateau” Premiere at the BFI Institute in Southbank after winning a competition MOBOs promoted on Twitter last week, and this wouldn’t have been possible for me if they didn’t boost this very amazing opportunity.
The marketing strategies they had in mind for announcing the nominations of this year’s artists definitely persuaded the youth in particular to get involved. Two social media personalities Michael Dapaah & Charlie Sloth were apart of the nomination campaign by announcing the potential winners on digital platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. The winners will then be announced at the MOBO awards that will take place in Leeds on the 29th November 2017. Using the likes of the aforementioned is such a good technique to use, as Michael Dapaah’s fame has definitely risen this year after his BBC 1Xtra freestyle as Big Shaq with Charlie Sloth. The “Mans Not Hot” freestyle has become the meme of 2017 and this has definitely had a much more popular outcome than what was initially expected!
I am from Croydon, South London. And I don’t know about you but, when I see an artist or well known person that is from my area doing so well for themselves, it really makes me happy for so many reasons. Not only because they’re becoming acknowledged so quickly, but because they’re also being such appropriate and relatable role models for younger generations. A lot of the Croydoners have been recognised by the MOBOs this year, such as Michael Dapaah (Big Shaq), Stormzy, Krept & Konan, Cadet, Ray BLK and Nadia Rose. In my opinion, it also does help a lot of the youth to focus more on creative or peer-mentoring alternatives and outlets than being out on the street and increasing the chances of them becoming victims of gang or knife crime.
If it weren’t for the MOBOs, artists’ may not have received the level of exposure and associated success. I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to meet a wonderful lady called Shannon Wright who is a Content & Talent Coordinator for MOBOs. This was organised by Exec Producer and Manager of Media Trust Jasmine Dotiwala alongside Project Manager of London 360 Reshma Biring and assisted by Nicola Cross. Shannon gave us an insight of what her job entailed, as well as her personal journey from graduating at university, doing work experience at media companies and always reaching out to them explaining that she is willing to help out where possible. Watching the “MOBO: Paving The Way” documentary highlighted the success of MOBOs and why it is important for people in society to understand the various genres of music that did not have a mainstream platform beforehand. Her passion for the MOBOs and seeing it all come together was very inspiring. I’m also extremely grateful at the fact that this opportunity through Media Trust came to light, as it has given me a clearer insight of what I want to do for my career.
“Beyond the awards, MOBO supports undiscovered talent in music via The Connect and MOBO UnSung, and across the wider creative industries via the MOBO Season and MOBOvation Talks, alongside our newly established charity, MOBO Trust, which aims to support young people in the creative industries via a MOBO Fund and an all-new MOBO Academy.” – http://beta.mobo.com/content/about-us
JANAY MARIE 