Estelle, Mel B and Jamelia arrive at the awards.


The Mobos started out with the best of intentions 13 years ago: to champion music of black origin. But somewhere along the way the concept began to derail, and this year finds it in its stickiest spot yet.

A disappointing lack of support from the award-winning artists themselves put the crowds in a sullen mood from the off.

Leona Lewis's video message was all but drowned out by a chorus of boos when she failed to collect her two awards (for best album and best video); while no-show Dizzee Rascal didn't help matters by not even bothering to record a thank you.

Further absentees included Chris Brown and Lil' Wayne who both received a similarly negative response – fair enough when you consider Destiny's Child, P-Diddy and Rihanna have all managed to grace the event in the past.

The performers that did turn up provided a mixed bag of entertainment. Sugababes were typically polished in their rendition of Girls, jiggling along with feminine charm; while Flo Rida briefly got the audience on their feet with a surprisingly successful live take on Low. John Legend was as dull as expected, playing to the cameras over the audience.

His partner in crime, Estelle, joined him for a damp duet after offering her own, rather wobbly, medley.

Artists aside, the Mobos themselves appeared in need of a firm hand, its baffling array of categories and nominations continuing to raise questions.

It appears needlessly divisive at a ceremony that's intended to champion black music; meantime the award for best international act contradicted itself by being uniformly dominated by American nominees.

Elsewhere a lack of consistency jarred: best radio DJ sported no less than 10 nominees while best UK male couldn't find room for truly innovative music makers such as Roots Manuva among its measly selection of four artists.

Misguided nominations and lacklustre entertainment wasn't enough to disillusion the most ardent fan, hosts Mel B and Rev Run topped things off by using the opportunity to shamelessly plug their personal ventures – anyone for a Scary Spice exercise DVD?

The night did end on a high, however, former Supreme Mary Wilson stealing the show with a sparkling medley that included You Can't Hurry Love – it's just a shame that, by this point, most of the auditorium was empty, glum punters having walked out long before the finale.


Original article here