Jamelia and Kanye West were the big winners at the MOBO Awards bash last night. Jamelia received awards for best song, best video and UK act of the year at the awards event designed to award 'music of black origin'. Kanye West was named best hip-hop artist and best producer, and received the award for best album for 'College Dropout'.
Jamelia's UK act of the year award was shared with Dizzee Rascal. Other winners on the night included Usher, who won best R&B act, and Jamie Cullum who took the title of best jazz artist. Meanwhile Janet Jackson presented a lifetime achievement award to Anita Baker.
Organisers of the MOBOs had originally feared that the awards would witness protests from gay rights groups over their support of two reggae artists accused of inciting violence against gay people in their lyrics. To combat those protests the MOBOs withdrew Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel's nominations. So, in the end, it was a protest by the Black Music Council that took centre stage outside the awards. Protestors waved banners in support of the two ousted artists, reading "Defend Reggae Music" and "Enraged by OutRage!"
Although not at the event himself, Peter Tatchell of gay rights group OutRage! said he was "appalled" at the actions of the Black Music Council, telling reporters last night: "OutRage! defends the right of artists to criticise homosexuality, but free speech does not include the right to commit the criminal offence of incitement to murder. The MOBOs are to be congratulated for dropping Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel."