Yesterday saw a very successful MOBO (Music Of Black Orgin Awards) and The Hip Hop Chronicle were live on the red carpet.
This year’s Awards was held at Wembley Arena. For my readers across the world, Wembley Arena is a big thing. Its signalled that the MOBO’s has arrived at a larger stage and its credit to the MOBO organisation.
The who’s who of UK Entertainment all turned out to see Mel B and Rev Run host a sell-out arena.
My day (and my videographer) began on the red carpet. Not before having trouble with my camera throughout the day. Word to upcoming journalists, techical glitches can happen at any time!
Once we got to our position, the stars kept rolling in. The press had fantastic help from people from the MOBO’s who helped us get interviews with the artists and performers.
My attire - well I kept it real Hip Hop lol, the only person in the press wearing a Yankee fitted and a t-shirt dedicated to Rev Run & RUN DMC (I’ll explain later).
Rev Run
Unfortunately Rev Run ignored the UK’s Number 1 Hip Hop site, The Hip Hop Chronicle lol. He was there with Rahseed (note: readers would have seen him on Run’s House). He had spoken to some of the press but when he came to our side, he ignored us. I do understand that he didnt want to speak to press but he at least had to see the tee.
I tried desparately to get his attention, for him to see a special t-shirt I had made for him. I was the only guy from the press rockin Run Atheltic Sneakers, A Yankee fitted and… a t-shirt that read ‘RUN LDN’.
I have interviewed his brother, the legend that is Russell Simmons, Rev’s son Jojo (in his first ever UK interview), the Rev is top of my list and he ignored me lol.
I have so much I wanna talk to him about, including Kato Matay!
Anyway I aint mad, its all love.
Red Carpet Footage
Below is footage from the red carpet. I interviewed the likes of Reggie Yates, Chipmunk, Skepta, Jazzie B (O.B.E.), spoke to Estelle, Flo-Rida, football star Djribill Cisse, DJ Ironik and the homie DJ Semtex.
When you see me speak to Estelle about John Legend. I gave Estelle my card to give to John because he didnt speak to some of the press. I got alot of respect for him and wanted to interview him, he didnt speak to those around us so I thought, ‘im gonna tell Estelle’ lol.
So as I mentioned before, I was wearing a Yankee fitted and a ‘RUN DMC’ style tee, which I had designed to have ‘RUN LDN’ (As in RUN LONDON’ - shouts to Greg over at WearYourCity.com). Rev Run did come, along with Rasheed (from Run’s House) but by the time Rev got to us, he didnt want to do more press. I can understand it though but he had to check out the tee! Its dope.
2008 MOBO’s Red Carpet Footage (Video)
DJ Semtex Interview (Video)
So I caught up with Semetx on the red carpet. We’ve seen each other at a few events but havent really had a chance to chop it up until yesterday at the red carpet.
Firstly Sem was rocking a mean piece (diamond encrusted) that he got made specially in Japan.
Semtex talks to me about touring with Dizzee Rascal, his upcoming mixtape with Joell Ortiz called ‘Pounds & Dollars’ and he has some words for my site.
To hear someone like Semtex praise my site like that, it means alot because essentially we do this (internet sites, Sem’s radio show) to help promote artists and show the greatness of Hip Hop.
Be sure to check out djsemtex.com & be on the look out for that mixtape.
NOTE: If you could see the tee I was wearing then the ‘RUN London/UK’ stuff would have been more funny.
The Show
I also had the honour of seeing the awards live.
Rev Run and Mel B did hold it down. They had chemistry and it definately worked.
Live performances from John Legend, Estelle, Flo-Rida, Sugarbabes, Jay Sean & Craig David set the show alight.
Estelle picked up two awards for Best UK Female and Best Song for ‘American Boy’.
Leona Lewis also took away two awards but she didnt attend the awards and this didnt make the fans happy. They began to boo. I dont condone booing. Its never nice but the British public, they dont play! lol
After picking up Best UK Female, Estelle took to the stage to perform ‘American Boy’ Substitute Love’. Rev Run spit a quick freestyle before Leona Lewis won another award and got booed again.
Chipmunk got one of the biggest cheers of the night when he won Best UK Newcomer. The roof came off and it was certainly a tough catergory.
Aleysha Dixon presented the award for Best Video, whichDizzee Rascal won. Unfortunatley Dizzee wasnt here to accept his award (he’s touring Austrialia) so the homie Semtex picked up the award.
People started to boo but Semtex calmed them down. Dizzee is the first UK MC who has gone gold three times (on a independant situation), so credit where credit is due and the audience definately saw that.
When Tim Westwood won his award for Best Club DJ, he got booed. It got to a point where he had to say ‘
Stop F*cking booing, im here to pick up an award’.
I dont really know why he was booed but no matter what people think of Tim, he has done alot for Hip Hop in this country. I did speak to him briefly on the red carpet but it was very very brief (above is the pic of me interviewing him). Its all love.
Jay Sean put in a great performance. It was at the MOBO’s that he announced that he has signed a deal with Cash Money Records, which I posted about yesterday.
Flo-Rida’s performance was energetic.
The UK showed alot of love to Lil Wayne (who won Best Hip Hop) and Chris Brown (who won Best R&B).
Overall it was a proud night for UK Hip Hop. The fact that the MOBO’s have made it to Wembley is a great achievement. People seemed to have a good night. It was certainly memorable for me.
Full List Of Winners
Best UK - Female Estelle
Best UK - Male Dizzee Rascal
Best UK - Newcomer Chipmunk
Best International Act - Chris Brown
Best Reggae - Mavado
Best Jazz - YolanDa Brown
Best Gospel - Jahaziel
Best African Act - 9ice
Best song American Boy - Estelle
Best R&B/Soul - Chris Brown
Best Hip Hop - Lil’ Wayne
Best Video Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Best Album Spirit - Leona Lewis
Best Radio DJ - Trevor Nelson
Best Club DJ - Tim Westwood
Lifetime Achievement - Motown
BeMOBO - Ricky McCalla
Congratulations To The MOBO Organisation For Making Yesterday A Proud Night For UK Urban Music.
