Mobo

In 1996, The MOBO Awards stormed onto our national television screens captivating the world's music industry and the public alike. This unique award ceremony dedicated to music of black origin showcased the world of urban music including RnB, Hip-Hop, Gospel and Reggae as a potent force in the cultural worldwide music community; the MOBO Awards had arrived!

The MOBO Organisation via its annual Awards Show is still recognising and rewarding the artistic, economic and cultural contribution that urban music has made to mainstream popular culture both nationally and internationally. It's major success story is not only in bringing this enormous contribution to the consciousness of mainstream music consumers it has been in redefining the term "mainstream" by pushing its barriers.

More than just music

The MOBO Organisation always supports charities and community organisations. In the past this has included Mencap, Barnardo's, Save the Children Fund, Sickle Cell and the Leukemia Unit of the Royal Marsden NHS Trust. Simultaneously The MOBO Organisation has given a platform to a variety of unsigned artists through key initiatives such as MOBO UnSung, MOBO Club Nights and The MOBO X Student Tour.

Helping the infrastructure of the British music industry

The MOBO Organisation has worked with both Central and Local Government to increase awareness about music of black origin, and harness the entrepreneurial spirit of its creators. For example, in 1999 The MOBO Organisation took part in the Music Industry Task Force (chaired by Chris Smith, the then Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport), an initiative that recognised the value that the urban music business contributes to the UK's economy.

MOBO identifies showcases and celebrates music derived from black heritage. An authoritative voice, MOBO helps to create success as much as it platforms achievements.

MOBO represents a mind-set that is aspirational, innovative, cutting edge and dares to break new grounds.

MOBO is RnB, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Grime, House n Garage, Soul and Gospel...black music born out of adversity that has evolved into mainstream popular culture - urban.

MOBO embraces the diversity of its innovators, consumers and creators - and in doing so manages to continue injecting urban culture into the mainstream psyche.

MOBO seeks to promote the history of music of black origin whilst acting as a platform for the future of its development.

"MOBO possesses the heritage and carries the flame for what's to come"
(Trevor Phillips, Presenter)

The Show

The MOBO Awards Show is broadcast LIVE on BBC3 and repeated on BBC 1 each year. It is currently the only televised European Awards Show solely dedicated to urban music and culture.

To visit the BBC website click here

The MOBO Award winners are decided by the general public with the nominees short listed by The MOBO Voting Panel (formally The Academy). The Voting Panel consists of over 2000 members including record company execs, journalists, radio DJs, club DJs, pluggers and retailers. The nominations are announced to the press 6-8 weeks before the awards show at an exclusive London venue.

In addition to members of the public; the Awards Show is attended by international celebrities from the music, movie, sport, fashion and broadcast industries.