Mobo Awards (+ Gay rights demo)

Why do MoBo awards ignore drumnbass/ jungle?

The winners list still seems more interesting than the Brits nominations, never mind the Britswinners. Jimmy Cliff winning 'contribution to urban music' seems a bit odd, tho'.

Is there some section of popular music that I've missed and which *DOESN'T* have black origins somewhere along the line, or is someone being overtly racist and excluding people from winning this award based on the colour of their skin?

the MOBOs didnt ignore drum n bass in the past - , they've given gongs to Goldie, Adam F and Grooverider before I believe...but coming up with a shortlist of nominees for such an award these days would be quite tricky you have to admit...

Mis-Teeq winning the Garage award is pretty fuckin laughable tho...oh well

I have no idea (if I did then my reaction would be one of hostility rather than mere discomfort) but if neither any form of music nor any actual musicians are being excluded, then precisely what purpose is the word "Black" serving here?

Would you feel comfortable with the concept of a "Music Of WHITE Origins" award?

Music Of Black Dominance appears to be the real criterium...hence the complete lack of support for rock or indeed much of the charty pop out there despite the current influence of hip hop and r n b in so many songs in the charts

I agree that setting racial boundaries around music like this is a bad idea. But the fact is that for some reason the existing network of awards weren't prioritising or recognising hip-hop, dance, soul, reggae or jazz and the obvious innovation and quality in those musics needed rewarding*. The 'Black Origin' thing provided a convenient if flawed umbrella under which to get the thing started. In practise non-black artists are nominated every year and several (Eminen, Westwood, Fatboy Slim for example) have won things.

*if you assume that any awards of any kind are neccessary, that is - which I'm not sure I do.

having said all this i really loathe the ghastly nature of the MTV European Awards, the Grammies and the Brit Awards and its a shame these things cant be done in a better way somehow...

This is from the article: "Capleton insists the fires he sings about throwing gay men into are metaphorical allusions to cleansing and purity. "Is not really a physical fire. Is really a spiritual fire, and a wordical fire, and a musical fire," he said. "But people get it on the wrong term. People get confused ... We come to burn for injustice and inequality and kill indignity and exploitation."

Oh, I see! Well, when you put it that way, Capleton...

Sway gets a nomination for best hip hop act. And he was briefly featured on BBC Breakfast News this morning, looking very cool.