The Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music.

In 2009, the awards were held in the city of Glasgow in Scotland for the first time. Until then, it had been held in London every year since its launch in 1995. In 2011, the MOBO Awards returned to Scotland for a second time.

Awards[link]

The Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards was established in 1996 by Kanya King and Andy Ruffell to recognise and celebrate artists who create 'black' or 'urban' music. The MOBO Awards is the first Black awards show in Europe.

The first award was presented to UK trio Baby D, in the Best Dance Act category.

Venues[link]

The MOBO Awards show has previously taken place in Wembley Arena, The O2 Arena, Royal Albert Hall, London Arena, New Connaught Rooms and Alexandra Palace – all of which are in London, England. For the first time in MOBO history, the 2009 Awards were held outside of London, in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. The following year, in 2010, the Awards were held in Liverpool, at the Echo Arena.

Performers[link]

Over its history, the MOBO awards has witnessed performances from UK and international talent. Over the years, A-list artists have included Janet Jackson, Destiny's Child, Dionne Warwick, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Tina Turner, Dizzee Rascal, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Amy Winehouse, Coolio, Usher, John Legend, Jason Derulo, Jessie J .

In 2000 Sade came out of retirement especially to perform at the Awards, her first performance in almost a decade.

Criticisms[link]

Racism[link]

Critics of the MOBO Awards suggest they are racist for linking musical genres to skin colour and accuse the organisers of Ghettoisation.^[1][2] Writing in The Independent newspaper David Lister^{[disambiguation needed ]} states "I find any notion of separate awards devised for black musicians, and still largely for black musicians, depressing". He goes on to say they "limit the music and the performers they claim to honour" and "manage to be both ludicrous and dangerously divisive at the same time"^[3]

Victimhood and terminology[link]

Niall Crowley highlights the inherent inaccuracies in the term "black music", for example noting the significant Jewish influences on rhythm and blues and rock n roll. He states "Without these and many other non-African Americans who played a defining role in the evolution of rhythm and blues, we wouldn’t have much of the great ‘black’ music we’ve had over the past 50 years or so."

Crowly also juxtaposes the attitudes of the MOBOs with the huge success of black performers in recent decades, writing that the awards reinforce "the idea that today’s black performers are simply the latest generation of sufferers in a long history of victimhood." He argues that in reality "no one could possibly claim that recent generations of black performers have suffered at the hands of a racist music industry" and the MOBOs "encourage music fans to see discrimination and racism where there is none,^[4]

Commercialisation[link]

DJ and music journalist "Bigger" criticises the awards for "veering away from its concept of rewarding music of black origin", suggesting this process started to occur during the second year of the awards though only became a major problem from the 2000 awards onwards. He cites winners such as Steve Jackson and Mick Hucknall as evidence that the awards were being "diluted". He also criticises the increasing American domination of the event and commercialisation, arguing that by its fourth year MOBO stood for "music of big organisations".^[5]

History[link]

2003[link]

In 2003, the MOBO awards moved to their new home, the Royal Albert Hall and was hosted by Blu Cantrell and Lil’ Kim, with performances coming from DMX, Lumidee, Wayne Wonder, George Benson, Lemar, Seal, Mis-teeq and Redman, J’Nay John Adeleye, Big Brovaz, The Black Eyed Peas and Kool and the Gang. Among the winners of the night were: 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, Big Brovaz and Lisa Maffia who was the only UK female artist to win an award.

2004[link]

The ninth annual MOBO Awards ceremony took place on 30 September 2004 at the Royal Albert Hall in London and was broadcast by BBC Television. So Solid Crew won the award in the UK garage Act category award beating Dizzee Rascal and The Streets. Controversy surrounded the removal of reggae artists Vybz Kartel and Elephant Man from the 'Best Reggae Act' category at the 2004 awards due to their homophobia and incitement to murder.^[6]

2005[link]

The 2005 MOBO awards saw one of the biggest line ups in MOBO award history and including John Legend, Ms Dynamite, Lemar, Kano, Damien Marley, Public Enemy and Lauryn Hill. The event was hosted by Gina Yashere and Akon, with guest presenters Chris Eubank, Lisa Maffia, Josie Darby, Simon Webbe, Myleene Klass, Estelle, Tim Westwood, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Chuck D. Big winners on the night included Corrine Bailey-Rae, Lemar, The Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Sean Paul and Beyoncé.

2006[link]

In 2006 the awards were hosted by Coolio and Gina Yashere. This year, for the first time the World Music and Jazz category were suspended. Corinne Bailey Rae went on to win the prize for Best UK Newcomer. The British rapper Akala won Best Hip Hop Act, beating stiff competition from American acts such as Kanye West, 50 Cent, and The Game.

2007[link]

The 2007 awards ceremony was broadcast live on BBC Three from the O2 Arena in London and hosted by Shaggy and Jamelia. The jazz category returned in 2007. Shaggy opened the evening with a medley of hits including "It Wasn't Me", "Bombastic" and "Angel". The show also featured several other performances; T-Pain performed on stage with Yung Joc, Craig David and Kano collaborated on stage, and rising stars Ne-Yo, Mutya Buena and Robin Thicke also performed. Amy Winehouse performed two songs and accepted the award for Best UK Female. N-Dubz won Best Newcomer. England cricketer Monty Panesar and England footballer Micah Richards were among a star-studded line up of guests presenting individual awards which also included Sinitta and Quentin Tarantino.

2009[link]

The 2009 event took place on 30 September at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow, Scotland. This was the first time the awards took place outside of London. A tribute performance was dedicated to Michael Jackson, and the Young Soul Rebels performed their charity single, "I Got Soul". Reggie Yates and Keri Hilson hosted the awards, with Peter Andre presenting backstage.

2010[link]

On 7 June 2010, Leona Lewis joined MOBO Awards founder Kanya King to announce that Liverpool had been selected as the host city for the 15th MOBO Awards in 2010.^[7][8] The 2010 awards took place on 20 October 2010.^[9]

2011[link]

It was confirmed that Amy Winehouse would be given an award and a special tribute shown due to the singer's death in July 2011.

The awards returned to Glasgow's SECC on 5 October 2011, hosted by Jason Derülo and Alesha Dixon. Jessie J won 4 awards. Boyz II Men received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Other winners included Rihanna, Tinie Tempah, Adele and Alborosie.

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• MOBO Awards
• Kanya King talks about setting up the MOBO awards YouTube

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Tinchy Stryder
Tinchy Stryder at the Glastonbury Festival 2009
Background information
Birth name	Kwasi Danquah III
Born	(1986-09-14) September 14, 1986 (age 25) Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
Origin	Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
Genres	Grime, Hiplife, alternative hip hop, alternative rock, electronic
Occupations	Business manager, creative director, music video director, musician
Instruments	Multisyllabic rhymes, vocals, drums, percussion
Years active	1997-present
Labels	Takeover Roc Nation Takeover Entertainment Ltd Universal Island Records
Associated acts	Current: Ruff Sqwad, Jay-Z, Calvin Harris, Burns, N-Dubz, Dappy, Dizzee Rascal Former: Roll Deep, Maniac (more)
Notable instruments
Tablet computer (using REAPER / Cakewalk Sonar)

Kwasi Danquah III ( /ˈkweɪsi/  /dæŋˈkwɑː/ KWAY-see dang-KWAH) (born September 14, 1986),^[1] better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star in the Hood, is a Ghanaian musician, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman. He is the co-founder and co-chief executive officer (CEO) of Takeover Roc Nation.^[2]

Stryder rose to prominence with the song "Take Me Back" which peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart in January 2009. He then released the song "Number 1", (a collaboration with N-Dubz) which entered the UK chart at number 1 on 26 April 2009.^[1] Stryder later released "Never Leave You" with Amelle Berrabah from girl-group Sugababes which became Stryder's second number 1 on 9 August 2009.^[1]

Stryder has opened other ventures since the beginning of his success. He founded and is the creator of the clothing line Star in the Hood (company). He is also the President and chief executive of Takeover/Cloud 9 (music publishing company through EMI Music Publishing), and he currently serves as the Chairman and A&R executive of Takeover Entertainment Ltd.^[3]

Biography[link]

Early life & Education[link]

Stryder relocated to the United Kingdom from Ghana in 1995, and lived in Bow, East London and attended St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School in Forest Gate, Newham; he gained a B.A. (Hons) in Digital arts, Moving image and Animation at the University of East London.^[4][5]

1997–2006: Career beginnings, Ruff Sqwad and Roll Deep[link]

Stryder's recordings date back to 1997, he started at the age of 13 in 2000^[6] on UK pirate radio in East London along with Dizzee Rascal and Wiley.^[7] Stryder went on to join the grime collective Ruff Sqwad in 2001 consisting of 5-grime artists, before the group expanded to six in 2004, then finally settling at 7, in 2006. His pseudonym Tinchy Stryder derives from the arcade game Strider which he played when he was young and from the nickname "Tinchy" given to him due to his short stature: his height at 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) in 2009^[8] then 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) in 2012^[9] making him in 2009 the shortest male artist ever to top the UK Top 40.^[8][10][11]

In 2002, the well-known grime collective Roll Deep of 13-grime artists was formed, and included Stryder and Dizzee Rascal as MCs (Master of Ceremonies). They were making music that was a derivative of UK Garage. For a while there was not even a name for it. The label "grime" was the one that stuck.^[12] While Stryder was a member of Roll Deep, he performed some songs including, "U Were Always" in 2002, which was released years later on Roll Deep's compilations album, Street Anthems in 2009. He also performed on Roll Deep's 2004 mixtape, Creeper Vol. 2. Back then he had a high pitched voice.^[12]

Stryder's music videos made a number of appearances on the Sky (UK & Ireland), Channel U (now Channel AKA) between 2004–2006 and he also made a number of appearances on BBC Radio 1Xtra taking part in freestyle rap, sometimes joined by his rap crew, (Ruff Sqwad), with whom he released with the studio albums Guns and Roses Volume. 1 in March 2005 and Guns and Roses Volume. 2 in October 2006.^[8]

[edit] 2006-2008: Star in the Hood, Cloud 9 The EP and Tinchy Stryder Vs. Maniac

The debut album by Stryder, Star in the Hood, was released on 13 August 2007 on Takeover Entertainment Ltd. The album spawned two main singles, "Breakaway", which was released on 9 April 2007 and "Something About Your Smile", released on 6 August 2007, with British singer-songwriter, Cylena Cymone. Bonus track "Mainstream Money" was also released as an underground single in November 2007.^[11]

In 2008, Stryder released his debut extended play, Cloud 9 The EP, which was released on 31 March, also on Takeover Entertainment.^[13] This was succeeded by Stryder and grime producer Maniac collaborating on the studio album, Tinchy Stryder Vs. Maniac, which was released on 24 November 2008.^[14] Only one single was released from the album, "Rollin", which was released in October 2008.^[15] This track was also included on Stryder's 2009 second solo studio album, Catch 22, as part of the, Deluxe 2-Disc Edition.

Tinchy also collaborated with Gang Gang Dance on the track Princes which featured on the Saint Dymphna (album) released in October 2008.

[edit] 2008-2010: Hit singles and Catch 22

Tinchy Stryder performing at Ipswich Regent Theatre in Suffolk, UK, April 28, 2009.

Stryder began a partnership with producer/songwriter Fraser T. Smith whom he originally contacted through MySpace and then met while supporting Kano on tour.^[16] According to Smith in an interview with HitQuarters, "Tinchy had no shortage of beats and cool sounding production, but I think he wanted to try and break through into the mainstream, and I had some experience crossing urban over into pop having worked with artists like Kano and Craig David."^[16]

His next single, "Stryderman", became his first single to chart in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 73. It was the first single taken from his second album, Catch 22. The second single, "Take Me Back", entered the official UK Singles Chart at 39 on downloads alone,^[17] one day before its official release. The following week the single moved up 36 places to peak position 3.^[18]

On 26 April 2009, Stryder's next single, a collaboration with N-Dubz entitled "Number 1," topped the UK Singles Chart giving Stryder and N-Dubz their first number one single. Stryder's fourth single from Catch 22, "Never Leave You", was released on 3 August 2009 with the album following on 17 August. "Never Leave You" went to Number 1 on the week of its release. Catch 22 debuted at Number 2 on the UK albums chart, only beaten by Calvin Harris. The fifth and final single from Catch 22 is "You're Not Alone," which was released in November 2009 and samples the Olive song of the same name.^[19]

On 20 July 2009, Stryder was part of a line-up at The O2 arena 3D ELEKTRO RAVE 2009, that included Caspa and Rusko, Frankmusik, and High Contrast.^[20]

He also took part in a charity song entitled "I Got Soul", a cover of The Killers' "All These Things That I've Done", which was to raise money for War Child charity. This song was released on 19 October 2009 and peaked at number 10 in the Official UK Charts and 19 on the Irish Singles Chart.

In February 2010, Stryder headline toured for the third time, he invited Example and JME as his supporting acts. The tour was Stryder's second sell-out tour after he toured in 2009 and helped in raising the profile of Example.^[21]

Stryder opened on the pyramid stage at the UK Glastonbury Festival, on Saturday 27 June 2010. He also performed at the O2 Arena, for the Transformation Trust's first birthday alongside The Saturdays and Stacey Solomon.^[22][23]

[edit] 2010-2011: Third Strike

Stryder's third solo studio album, Third Strike was released on Monday 15 November 2010, but it failed to match the UK commercial success of Catch 22.^[24]

Stryder began recording Third Strike shortly after he completed his previous album, he then released a promotional single, "Gangsta?", six month's prior to the release of the studio album. This was followed by Stryder releasing the first official single from it, a year from the day he released his second studio album. He began working with Fraser T. Smith who also worked on his second studio album. Taio Cruz produced the largely, along with Fraser T. Smith. The album title was picked as Stryder thought the album would be a smash hit, so he thought he would rip off the title of Street Fighter III 3rd Strike which was also a massive success. Third Strike features several artists, including Amelle, with whom he collaborated on Catch 22 on the single "Never Leave You" where the pair gained a number one in the UK. The album features Taio Cruz who also featured on the Stryder's last album. The album also features artists affiliated with Roc Nation: Canadian singer Melanie Fiona on "Let It Rain", American singer Alexis Jordan, and American singer Bridget Kelly on "Take The World". The song "Game Over" features six different artists. Eric Turner from the Swedish rock band Street Fighting Man also features on the album.

[edit] 2011-2012: Full Tank

The first single from this forthcoming solo studio album entitled Full Tank is "Spaceship" and it features Dappy from N-Dubz. Stryder performed at the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final in support of the single, making him the first rapper, contemporary artist and singer in history to perform at a UEFA Champions League final.^[25][26] Stryder teamed up with Scottish DJs/producers Calvin Harris and Matt Burns credited as 'BURNS', for the second single from this fourth solo studio album, "Off The Record".^[27] On Thursday, 3 November 2011, Stryder announced in an interview that his new album will be entitled; "Full Tank".^[28] On Tuesday, 3 January 2012, Stryder released the video for the third single from "Full Tank" entitled 'Bright Lights' which features British singer Pixie Lott. There is also another version of the song entitled 'Bright Lights Part II' that is featured on Pixie Lott's second studio album, Young Foolish Happy.^[29]

Other ventures and aspects[link]

Businesses[link]

Kwasi Danquah III
Born	(1986-09-14) September 14, 1986 (age 25) Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
Residence	Coloane, Macau Labone, Ghana
Nationality	Ghana
Ethnicity	Ghanaian
Citizenship	Republic of Ghana United Kingdom (naturalized 1996)
Alma mater	University of East London
Occupation	Business manager, Creative director
Title	Chairman & Creative director of S.I.T.H (2009–present) CEO & SEVP of Takeover Roc Nation (2010–present) Chairman of Takeover Entertainment (2010–present) President & CEO of Takeover/Cloud 9 (2009–present)

Takeover Entertainment Ltd.

Since 2006, Stryder's music career has been managed by Takeover Entertainment Ltd, comprising Archie Lamb IV and Jack Foster.^[11] Archie Lamb's father is Liberal Democrat MP, Norman Lamb, who has invested in Stryder's music career. Stryder became the company's Chairman and A&R executive in January 2010.^[11]

Star in the Hood (company)

Stryder founded the clothing brand Star in the Hood (company), named after his pseudonym "Star In The Hood", in September 2006, which he also named his first solo studio album.^[11]

Takeover/Cloud 9

In December 2008, Stryder, Archie Lamb IV and Jack Foster the two-man management team behind Stryder’s success, signed a joint venture publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing to create a global publishing company, Takeover/Cloud 9, which will enable Takeover Entertainment to publish the work of Takeover Entertainment's musicians and record producers in partnership with EMI.^[30]

Takeover Roc Nation

In June 2010, Stryder signed a business deal with Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter to ally Stryder's company, Takeover Entertainment Ltd, with Roc Nation LLC.^[11] The new leg of the company is called Takeover Roc Nation.^[2]

Endorsements[link]

Honda Motor Company, Ltd.

On Tuesday, 8 November, 2011, Honda's motorbike division hired Stryder for their pan-European campaign. The campaign featuring Stryder is being supported by Facebook, Inc., and a tie-up with fashion brand GAS in order to push the Vision 50, Honda's 50cc entry level scooter. The Vision 50 was launched on (8 November, 2011) at the EICMA (Milan Motorcycle Show) in Milan, Italy along with six other bike models.^[31][32]

Charitable causes[link]

On Thursday, 4 November 2010, Stryder performed at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, along with a couple of musicians and special guests for Alicia Keys' charity, Keep a Child Alive, charity ball. All proceeds from the tickets sales for the event was donated to Alicia Keys’ charity, Keep a Child Alive (KCA).^[33]

Personal life[link]

Stryder revealed in January 2010 that if his music career did not take off he would have become a professional footballer, by stating that: "I was quite athletic, I had to choose between football and music".^[35][36][37] Stryder was originally scheduled to be a professional footballer, being left-footed he played in the striker and second striker positions and was enrolled at the academy of Wimbledon F.C. from 2000–2003 and the youth team of Leyton Orient F.C. from 2003–2006.^[38]

Stryder is known to be a big fan of Manchester United. He has an executive box at Manchester United's football stadium, Old Trafford and considers himself to be their lucky mascot, as he told to Manchester United F.C. footballer and good friend Rio Ferdinand.^[39]

He plays golf in his free time and gives golf lessons to business partner Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and his wife Beyoncé Knowles.^[40]

Stryder also tries to return to Ghana and visiting his relatives whenever he can, as he can be "normal" there.^[41]

Discography[link]

With Gang Gang Dance

• 2008: Princes on Saint Dymphna (album)

Awards and nominations[link]

• See List of awards and nominations received by Tinchy Stryder

See also[link]

• List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart

References[link]

External links[link]

	Book: Tinchy Stryder
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tinchy Stryder

• Official website
• Tinchy Stryder discography at Discogs
• Tinchy Stryder at MTV
• Tinchy Stryder talks through Jay-Z business deal collected news and commentary at BBC
• MistaJam in conversation with Tinchy Stryder - MUSICIANS' MASTERCLASS 2011 collected video and commentary at BBC