2017 MOBO Awards nominations announced

The MOBO Awards nominations have been announced today at YouTube Space London, and one artist leads the way: Stormzy. The 24-year-old grime MC received five nominations in all, which include Best Male, Best Grime Act, Best Album for Gang Signs & Prayer, Best Song and Best Video for Big For Your Boots. The south Londoner is no stranger to the MOBOs, having picked up Best Grime Act in 2014 and 2015, and Best Male in 2015.

The nominations top off a fine year for Stormzy, having become the first grime artist to ever top the UK Album Chart. Gang Signs & Prayer has since gone on to be the biggest-selling independent album of 2017, shifting over 220,000 copies. The MOBO-nominated video for Big For Your Boots (directed by Daps), meanwhile, has racked up 37 million views on YouTube.

Closely following Stormzy in the nominations department is East London rapper J Hus; he picks up nods for Best Male, Best Album for Common Sense, Best Song for Did You See and Best Video for Spirit. 20-year old singer-songwriter Jorja Smith lands three nominations (Best Female, Best R&B/Soul Act and Best Newcomer), as does rising rap star Stefflon Don (Best Female, Best Hip Hop Act and Best Newcomer) and Mercury Prize winner Sampha (Best Male, Best R&B/Soul Act and Best Album for his critically acclaimed debut Process).

A category that’s always of interest at the MOBOs is Best Newcomer. Previously the category has proved a good industry barometer for rising talent and has marked the start for many a successful career. Past winners include Craig David (2000), Estelle (2004), Kano (2005), Chip (2008), Tinie Tempah (2010), Jessie J (2011), Rita Ora (2012) and Krept & Konan (2013). So look out for names like Dave, Jorja Smith, Kojo Funds, Lotto Boyzz, Loyle Carner, Mabel, Mist, Not3s, Stefflon Don and Yxng Bane to strike it big in the future.

The MOBO awards 2017 takes place 29 Nov at Leeds’ First Direct Arena, with the performances on the night to be announced shortly. The full list of nominations are below; read our report from the 2016 MOBOs at the Hydro in Glasgow.

MOBO Awards 2017 Nominees

Best Male
Bugzy Malone
Chip
Dave
Giggs
J Hus
Maleek Berry
Mostack
Sampha
Skepta
Stormzy

Best Female
Emeli Sandé
Jessie Ware
Jorja Smith
Lady Leshurr
Little Simz
Mabel
Nadia Rose
NAO
Ray BLK
Stefflon Don

Best Album
J Hus – Common Sense
Nines – One Foot Out
Sampha – Process
Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer
Wretch 32 – Growing Over Life

Best Newcomer
Dave
Jorja Smith
Kojo Funds
Lotto Boyzz
Loyle Carner
Mabel
Mist
Not3s
Stefflon Don
Yxng Bane

Best Song
J Hus – Did You See (Produced by JAE5)
Kojo  Funds Feat. Abra Cadabra – Dun Talkin” (Produced by GA)
Not3s – Addison Lee (Produced by Malv On The Track)
Stormzy – Big For Your Boots (Produced by Sir Spyro & Fraser T Smith)
Yungen Feat. Yxng Bane – Bestie (Produced by ADP)

Best Video
Bossman Birdie – Walk The Walk (Directed by Luke Davies)
J Hus – Spirit (Directed by Hugo Jenkins)
Loyle Carner – The Isle Of Arran (Directed by Georgia Hudson)
Mist – Hot Property (Directed by Oliver Jennings)
Stormzy – Big For Your Boots (Directed by Daps)

Best Hip-hop Act
Giggs
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Nines
Stefflon Don
Wretch 32

Best Grime Act
AJ Tracey
Chip
P Money
Skepta
Stormzy
Wiley

Best R&B/Soul Act
Supported by Mi-Soul
Craig David
Jorja Smith
NAO
Ray BLK
Sampha

Best International Act
Cardi B
DJ Khaled
Drake
Jay Z
Kendrick Lamar
Migos
Solange Knowles
SZA
Travis Scott
Wizkid

Best African Act
Davido
Eugy
Juls
Maleek Berry
Mr Eazi
Sarkodie
Tekno
Tiwa Savage
Wande Coal
Wizkid

Best Reggae Act
Aidonia
Alkaline
Chronixx
Damian Marley
Popcaan

Best Jazz Act
Supported by Jazz FM
Cleveland Watkiss
Daymé Arocena
Moses Boyd
Mr Jukes
Terrace Martin

Best Gospel Act
Supported by Premier Gospel
Lurine Cato
Mali Music
S.O.
Triple O
Volney Morgan & New-Ye