This year’s Mobo awards were a triumph for UK rap and grime artists, with south London MC Stormzy picking up best male act and best grime act and rap duo Krept and Konan also taking home two awards.

The MC – and first winner of best grime act at the 2014 Mobos – is one of the leading names in the British genre and has accrued massive crossover appeal in recent years: he became the first unsigned rapper to play Jools Holland and was shortlisted for 2015’s BBC Sound of poll.

UK rappers Krept and Konan, who received the total of four nominations, were awarded two of the night’s biggest awards, best hip-hop act and best album for their debut, The Long Way Home.

Wednesday’s Mobo awards, at Leeds Arena, included 27 nominations for grime artists across all categories. The award show, which celebrates music of black origin, has been criticised in previous years for rewarding the work of white, mainstream pop artists such as Sam Smith and Jessie J.

Other winners tonight include FKA twigs, who won best video for Pendulum, which she co-directed, former Rudimental vocalist Ella Eyre, who won best female act, and Skepta, whose track Shutdown won best song. His success follows a year in which the MC attracted attention across the pond, sharing a stage with Kanye West and Drake.

Watch the video for Skepta’s award-winning track Shutdown

Fuse ODG, pioneer of the This is New Africa (Tina) movement and previous winner of best African act at the Mobos in 2014, took home best African act again, while Canadian star Drake won best international album for If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, while Popcaan triumphed in the reggae category. Best newcomer this year are Section Boyz.

Wiley, won the Paving the Way award earlier this week, when a paving-stone tribute to the innovator was installed in the playground at Bow School in Tower Hamlets, east London. CeeLo Green and Lenny Henry were also marked for their achievements.



Best hip-hop act: Krept and Konan

Best newcomer: Section Boyz

Best African act: Fuse ODG

Best female act: Ella Eyre

Best male act: Stormzy

Best song: Skepta – Shutdown

Best grime act: Stormzy

Best album: Krept and Konan – The Long Way Home

Best video: FKA twigs – Pendulum

Best reggae act: Popcaan

Best jazz: Binker and Moses

Best R&B/soul act: Shakka

Best gospel act: Faith Child

Best international album: Drake – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late

Mobo outstanding achievement award: CeeLo Green

Paving the way: Wiley

Paving the way: Sir Lenny Henry