Skip to main content

Home Music Music News

Ghetts, Dave and Little Simz lead winners at MOBO Awards

Central Cee, Skepta, Wizkid and boxer Frank Bruno were also honoured

By Patrick Clarke

Ghetts poses live at the MOBO Awards 2021
Ghetts poses live at the MOBO Awards 2021 (Picture: Alamy)

Dave, Little Simz and Ghetts were among the major winners at this year’s MOBO Awards last night (December 5).

It marked the first time that either Little Simz or Ghetts had won at the awards, which celebrate the best in Black music from the UK and beyond. They were declared Best Female Act and Best Male Act respectively.

Ghetts was also among the performers at the live ceremony, which took place at the Coventry Building Society Arena and was livestreamed by YouTube Music. It also saw live appearances from Coventry-raised Pa Salieu, ENNY, Steflon Don and Ms Banks and more.

Dave, meanwhile, won the Best Album prize for his acclaimed second album ‘We’re All Alone In This Together’, beating Ghetts’ ‘Conflict Of Interest’ and Arlo Parks‘ Mercury Prize-winning ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’ among others.

Parks did not win any awards despite three nominations, including Best Female and Best Newcomer. Headie One also received three nominations but no awards, for Best Male, Best Song for ‘Edna’, and Best Drill Act.

Best Drill Act, a new award for 2021, was won by Central Cee, who also picked up Best Newcomer. Elsewhere, Skepta was named Best Grime Act, Cleo Soul won Best R&B/Soul Act, and D. Block Europe were awarded Best Hip Hop Act.

Song of the Year went to Tion Wayne and Russ Millions’ ‘Body (Remix)’. and Video of the Year to ‘Lagga’ by M1llionz. Nigerian star Wizkid won both Best African Act and Best International Act.

In the non-musical categories, BAFTA-winning British actor Micheal Ward won Best Performance in a TV Show/Film for his portrayal of Franklyn in Steve McQueen’s anthology series ‘Small Axe’, and Chunkz and Yung Filly were named Best Media personality. The boxer Frank Bruno MBE was also honoured with a MOBO Inspiration Award.