5 for Mobo Reggae
LONDON-BASED deejay Stylo G, singers Chronixx and Tarrus Riley, and deejays Alkaline and Popcaan are nominees for the Best Reggae Act at this year’s MOBO Awards.
The nominations were announced yesterday in London. The 19th staging of the event takes place October 22 in that city at the SSE Arena, Wembley.
Stylo G, who hails from Spanish Town, is the most visible of the nominees in the United Kingdom. He has enjoyed mainstream hits there such as Come Over (with Clean Bandit), Soundbwoy, Badd (featuring Sister Nancy) and Move Back. This is his second nomination.
“It feels good to be nominated again for the MOBO. It’s a good look, and this year we are looking to take the award,” Stylo G said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. It is the first nomination for Alkaline and Chronixx. The former is on a high with songs including 1, 2, 3, Things Mi Like, and Live Mi Life. Chronixx is arguably the hottest act in contemporary reggae. His EP, Dread & Terrible, shot to number one on the Billboard Reggae Album chart.
Following his performance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in July, the EP and his single Here Comes Trouble, moved up Billboard’s Reggae Album and Digital Reggae Singles charts.
Popcaan also got into the mainstream. Kisses for Breakfast, his collaboration with British R&B singer Melissa Steel, peaked at number 10 on the UK pop chart. He released his debut album, Where We Come From, in July.
This is Popcaan’s third MOBO nomination.
Riley was first nominated for a MOBO in 2008 and has racked up three other nominations since. His latest album, Love Situation, was released early this year.
The Jamaican artiste with most wins in the Best Reggae Act category is Sean Paul with six. This year, he is nominated for Best Song with Dangerous Love, his combination with British rapper Fuse ODG.
The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) was established in 1996 by Kanya King and Andy Ruffell. It is held annually and recognises artistes of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music.