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Stormzy, Little Simz & Central Cee Take the Spotlight: A Deep Dive into the 26th MOBO Awards Nominations

Stormzy, Little Simz & Central Cee Take the Spotlight: A Deep Dive into the 26th MOBO Awards Nominations

The MOBO Awards, a prestigious celebration of Black British music and culture, is gearing up for its grand 26th edition. For the first time ever, the awards ceremony is set to grace the city of Sheffield, transforming the Utilita Arena into a spectacular stage on February 7, 2024. With the event’s hosts and performers yet to be announced, anticipation is already sky-high. This morning, Kanya King and her team unveiled the full list of nominees, a testament to the UK’s pulsating music scene and the pervasive impact of Black culture globally.

A Stacked Year of Nominations

This year, the nominations chart is dominated by the likes of Stormzy, Little Simz, and Central Cee, each artist boasting multiple nominations.

The indomitable Stormzy has secured four nominations, including Best Male Act, Album of The Year, Song of The Year, and Video of The Year. This comes as no surprise, given the rapper’s powerful influence on the UK music scene.

Little Simz: A Quadruple Threat

Last year’s big winner, Little Simz, once again leads the pack with an impressive four nominations. She’s up for Best Female Act, Album of the Year, Video of The Year, and Best Hip Hop Act.

Central Cee: The Rising Star

Rapper Central Cee also has a strong showing with three nominations – Best Male Act, Song of The Year, and Best Drill Act.

Recognition Beyond Music

The MOBO Awards is not just about music; it’s a comprehensive celebration of Black culture in all its forms. This year, they’re broadening their scope with two new awards – the MOBO Impact and MOBO Pioneer Award, set to recognize trailblazers of Black culture.

Best Female Act in Association with Shea Moisture

This is just a glimpse of the full list of nominations for the 26th MOBO Awards. The complete list, featuring categories like Video of The Year, Best R&B/Soul Act, Best Hip Hop Act, Best Grime Act.

Wrapping Up

The 26th MOBO Awards promises to be yet another landmark event in the history of Black British music and culture. With the likes of Stormzy, Little Simz, and Central Cee leading the nominations, we’re set for a thrilling night of celebrations. Stay tuned for more updates!

Stormzy’s Lavish Birthday Bash Takes Center Stage in ‘Angel In The Marble’ Visual

Stormzy’s Lavish Birthday Bash Takes Center Stage in ‘Angel In The Marble’ Visual

Stormzy, the acclaimed Croydon-born artist, continues to make waves in the music scene as he commemorates his milestone 30th birthday with an extravagant celebration that turned London’s Biltmore Mayfair into a glamorous casino. The festivities, which took place on July 28, were nothing short of star-studded, with many of Stormzy’s peers joining in on the grand soirée.

Now, on August 2, fans are treated to an exclusive look at the festivities in Stormzy’s latest visual release, “Angel In The Marble.” The track, produced by PRGRSHN, showcases Stormzy’s confident and boastful lyrical prowess, capturing the essence of the celebratory mood.

The visual for “Angel In The Marble” offers an insider’s view of Stormzy’s opulent birthday gala. The Biltmore Mayfair is transformed into a captivating casino, where guests and celebrities alike come together to honor the artist’s journey and accomplishments.

Throughout the video, Stormzy exudes charisma and confidence as he mingles with fellow artists and revels in the joyous atmosphere. The celebratory spirit is infectious as guests immerse themselves in the festivities, making it a night to remember.

Leading up to his birthday celebration, Stormzy has been treating his fans to an array of musical delights. As the summer kicked off, he dropped tracks like “Toxic Trait” alongside Fredo, “Longevity Flow,” and “The Weekend” featuring RAYE. In addition to his own releases, Stormzy has also lent his talent to collaborations such as Stonebwoy’s “Life & Money” and Mahalia’s “November,” solidifying his presence in the 2023 music landscape.

“Angel In The Marble” not only captures the essence of Stormzy’s music but also showcases his larger-than-life persona and the connections he’s made within the industry. The visual is a celebration of both his personal achievements and his enduring impact on the music world.

As Stormzy’s artistic journey continues to evolve, fans can anticipate more dynamic music and engaging visuals that showcase his growth as an artist and his ability to create unforgettable moments. With “Angel In The Marble,” Stormzy invites fans to relish in his birthday celebration and immerse themselves in the extravagant world of one of the UK’s most influential artists.

Stormzy and RAYE Unite for Uplifting Collab “The Weekend,” a London Summer Dedication 

Stormzy and RAYE Unite for Uplifting Collab “The Weekend,” a London Summer Dedication 

Ben Houdijk / Shutterstock.com 

Stormzy, the iconic London talent, and the sensational RAYE come together for an uptempo collaboration titled “The Weekend,” a heartfelt dedication to lovers everywhere. Produced by the talented duo of Michael “LONDON” Hunter and RAYE, the track exudes infectious energy and celebrates the joys of summer romance. 

In the visually stunning video, directed by Omar Jones, viewers are transported to the vibrant streets of London during the sunny months. The scenes are filled with beautiful people basking in the warm weather, immersing themselves in the carefree spirit of the season. Stormzy effortlessly embodies the player lifestyle, exuding charisma and charm as he navigates the city’s bustling atmosphere. 

In a visually captivating spectacle, Stormzy and RAYE seamlessly come together in front of an immense sound system, crafting a mesmerizing and unforgettable scene that evokes fond memories of the iconic “Girls Dem Sugar” music video by Beenie Man and Mya. The palpable synergy between these two exceptionally talented artists imbues “The Weekend” with an irresistible charm, elevating it to the status of a resounding anthem that embodies the essence of summer love and exuberant celebration. As the music swells, the chemistry between Stormzy and RAYE becomes palpable, radiating an infectious energy that beckons listeners to embrace the magic of the moment. With a perfect blend of electrifying beats and captivating visuals, this remarkable collaboration paints a vivid picture of shared joy and camaraderie, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who experience its euphoric melodies and lyrics. By evoking the spirit of unity and the thrill of collective jubilation, “The Weekend” stands tall as a defining masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of musical genres and resonates with audiences across the globe, transforming ordinary days into extraordinary celebrations of life, love, and the universal language of music.

Looking ahead, Stormzy is gearing up to host his very own “This Is What I Mean Day” event in collaboration with All Points East. Set to take place on August 18 in London’s Victoria Park, the massive occasion will feature an impressive lineup of supporting acts, including Kehlani, Knucks, Lucky Daye, WSTRN, Amaria BB, Nippa, and more. Fans can anticipate an unforgettable experience as Stormzy takes the stage to showcase his dynamic artistry. 

The Weekend” serves as a testament to Stormzy’s versatility as an artist, infusing his signature style with RAYE’s captivating vocals to create a mesmerizing musical journey. The track’s infectious beats and heartfelt lyrics make it an instant favorite, resonating with audiences on a profound level. 

As summer heats up, Stormzy and RAYE’s “The Weekend” provides the perfect soundtrack for moments of love and joy. Its uplifting vibes and London-inspired visuals leave a lasting impression, solidifying Stormzy’s position as one of the most influential artists in the UK music scene. 

Fredo and Stormzy team up for the video “Toxic Trait”

Fredo and Stormzy team up for the video “Toxic Trait”

There was a new video released by Stormzy on Thursday (June 22). The visual is for his banging track “Toxic Trait,” a popular song featuring Fredo and with production by Dave. As the South London talent moves through the drill-inspired cut, he takes a moment to admit that he has flaws while reminding listeners how great he is.

Femi Ladi, the director of the video, takes a creative route by showing different variations of Stormzy performing his lyrics in several different ways in order to convey his message. He is eventually able to join his peers after a hilarious therapy session interlude in which he joins his peers. As well as Ivorian Doll and Alison Hammond making appearances throughout the movie, other notable guests can be seen as well.

“Toxic Trait” is Stormzy’s first official release since his third studio album, This Is What I Mean, which dropped in November 2022, a year after his third studio album had made its debut. As a result of this body of work, the album contained 12 tracks and a number of additional features, including Ayra Starr, Sampha, Black Sherif, Ms Banks, Amaarae, and more. There is no doubt that Stormzy’s album is well known for its more experimental content, as most of the tracks included gospel, R&B, along with a variety of other genres, to create the most enjoyable music for listeners. A successful departure with All I Want for My Birthday proved to be one of his most successful albums, as It Is What I Mean both landed him a No. 1 position on the UK Albums Chart for his third consecutive week, as well as earning him a silver certification.

Remix of “Hide & Seek” by Stormzy features FLO

Remix of “Hide & Seek” by Stormzy features FLO

This morning (Jan. 6), Stormzy released a revised remix of his song “Hide & Seek,” which includes a guest appearance from the rising R&B group FLO. In addition to the production provided by the trio of Jorja Douglas, Renée Downer, PRGRSHN, P2J, Owen Cutts, and Stella Quaresma. Additionally, the mood was melancholy of the song by adding lines that speak of a rocky relationship in the lyrics:

In his surprise announcement of this brand-new release, Stormzy also revealed that FLO had won BBC’s Sound of 2023 poll, beating out competitors like Cat Burns, Nia Archives, Fred Again.., and Gabriels. According to the group’s statement released upon receiving the request, last year’s champion is also being honored in the following way.

“The BBC Sound Of 2023 has given us a sense of history that makes us feel so connected to the roots of British music. I am especially proud of our lead singer Pink Pantheress… Thanks to everyone who cast a vote for us and helped put girl groups back on the map. Having our musical talent acknowledged as well as others believing in our vision drives us to push ourselves further this year in order to achieve our goals.”

In its original form, “Hide & Seek” was released in April 2012 as the lead single from Stormzy’s third studio album, titled This Is What I Mean, which was compiled of twelve tracks featuring collaborations with India.Arie, Sampha, Amaarae, Jacob Collier, Ms. Banks, Black Sherif, and more. He has reached No. 1 on the U.K Albums Chart for the third consecutive year thanks to the release of his latest project.