The Awards
The MOBO Awards were launched in 1996 and were the 1st black awards show in Europe. The Awards attract the largest prime time multicultural audience and boast broadcast access to over 250 million people. The MOBO Awards have paved the way for other outlets of urban music such as MTV Base, BBC Radio 1Xtra and Channel U, which before MOBO did not exist.
The MOBO Awards were created to represent music (of black origin) and urban culture, and the music is used as a symbol for the black experience as a whole. The MOBOs aims to reward those with talent and determination, not just with accolades but also financially, as well as honouring the past and inspiring the future.
MOBO is young, social, driven and positive and the brand stands for integrity, passion, faith, achievement and making a difference.
The Artists
Over its 14 year history MOBO has played host to the music industry’s finest, witnessing jaw-dropping performances from both UK and international talent. As well as performing at the first annual Awards in 1996, Lionel Richie also received The Lifetime Achievement award.
Over the years A-list artists have included, Janet Jackson, Dionne Warwick, Justin Timberlake, Tina Turner, Dizzee Rascal, Jay- Z, LL Cool J, Amy Winehouse, Usher and John Legend to name but a few.
In 2005, MOBO celebrated its 10th Anniversary, opening the show with a performance by former Fugees band member Lauryn Hill and closing with an explosive collaboration by the Marley Brothers in tribute to their father, the late Bob Marley. As well as international talent MOBO has been the stepping stone in the careers of numerous UK artists such as Sway, Lemar, Jamelia, the Sugababes and Estelle.
Broadcasters
The show was screened on ITV (Carlton Television) from 1996 through to 1998 before moving to Channel 4 until 2003. Since 2004 the Awards have been broadcast by the BBC, and in 2006 the show was screened live to air for the first time in MOBO history on BBC Three, and repeated two days later on BBC1.
MOBO in 2009
Now one of the world’s most prestigious music awards, the MOBO Awards will leave London for the first time this year and be staged at Glasgow’s Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) on September 30th.
The event will be held at Glasgow’s SECC and will be watched live by a capacity audience of 25,000 as well as live and pre recorded broadcast coverage on BBC.
Hosting the iconic awards will see Scotland welcome an entourage of A-List musicians and celebrities as well as thousands of music fans and will reinforce Glasgow’s reputation as a world class destination for hosting music events and emphasise its status as UNESCO City of Music.
The MOBO Awards have been secured for Glasgow and Scotland through a partnership of EventScotland, the national events agency, and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) and also have the support of Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government.
