Double Mobo win for singer Lemar

Singer Lemar has won the best album and UK act prizes at the Music of Black Origin (Mobo) awards, with unsigned rapper Sway also taking a prize.
Lemar lost the best R&B act title to US star John Legend, however, and failed to win the best video or single awards.

North London rapper Sway was named best hip hop act, beating multi-million selling US stars 50 Cent and The Game despite having no record contract.

Decided by public vote, the Mobo awards were presented at a London ceremony.

Marley tribute

BBC Fame Academy finalist Lemar beat soul singer Joss Stone and rapper Estelle, among others, to the UK act of the year title.

His album Time To Grow beat albums by Mariah Carey, John Legend, US rapper Common and east London rapper Kano.




Full list of winners
Nevertheless Kano, who has pioneered the garage spin-off grime, was named best UK newcomer.

Damian Marley - son of reggae icon Bob Marley - was named best reggae act.

He and brothers Julian and Stephen Marley performed a tribute to their father Bob, who received the Mobo's posthumous achievement award.

The second special trophy of the night went to US rap pioneers Public Enemy, who received the outstanding contribution to black music award.

Rapper Ms Dynamite and US singer Lauryn Hill also performed at Thursday's Royal Albert Hall ceremony.


Ms Dynamite performed at the Royal Albert Hall ceremony
Omar, Nate James and Mica Paris took part in a tribute to soul singer Luther Vandross, who died aged 54 after suffering a stroke in July.

Youssou N'dour won the Mobo's inaugural best African act award, voted for exclusively by music fans in Africa.

BBC Radio 1 hip hop DJ Tim Westwood was named best UK radio DJ while Steve Sutherland took the best UK club DJ title.

Last year's Mobo ceremony was overshadowed by protests over the inclusion of reggae artists Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel, who were accused of homophobic lyrics.

The Mobo awards will be broadcast on BBC One at 2335 on Friday 23 September.