Sheffield, England | NOW THEN DIGITAL — The Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, an annual celebration of black music and culture, is set to take place on February 7 at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, UK. Departing from its traditional November schedule, the MOBO Awards, established in 1996, span various music genres, including Afrobeats, hip hop, R&B, soul, grime, drill, EDM, and jazz.
Renowned African artists have been prominently featured in past MOBO Awards, with Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and Fuse ODG among the winners. Last year, Burna Boy secured additional accolades for Best African Act and Best International Act.
MOBO founder Kanya King CBE expressed excitement about launching the 2024 awards season in Sheffield, marking the first time the event will be hosted in the city. Over the past 14 years, MOBO has celebrated black music in various cities across the UK, fostering a sense of unity among local and global talent and fans.
Tom Hunt, the leader of Sheffield City Council, expressed enthusiasm for welcoming the MOBO Awards to Sheffield, recognizing the city’s musical heritage and event-hosting prowess. Sheffield has a rich history of hosting major events, and hosting one of Europe’s largest music award ceremonies further solidifies its standing.
The 25th MOBO Awards, held in London last year, showcased the talents of artists like Knucks, Little Simz, Central Cee, and PinkPantheress. Nile Rodgers received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The event featured performances from Fireboy DML from Nigeria and British-Zambian singer Emeli Sandé, among others. The MOBO Awards continue to be a vital platform for celebrating black music’s present and future while advocating for social change.
