Well, no gay rights protests or after-show shoot outs this year, meaning attention could actually turn to what was happening inside the Royal Albert Hall at the good old MOBO Awards. And what was happening? Well, touching tributes to Bob Marley and Luther Vandross, award giving to a suitably eclectic range of artists, and good-nights-thank-you-very-much for former Fame Academy loser Lemar and unsigned rapper Sway.
Lemar won two of the five awards he was nominated for - Best Album and Best UK Act, while unsigned London based rapper Sway beat the likes of 50 Cent and The Game to the title of Best Hip Hop Act, despite having no recording contract. Other winners included grime pioneer (if there is such a thing) Kano who was named Best UK Newcomer, John Legend who took Best R&B act, Youssou N'dour who won the MOBO's inaugural Best African Act Award and Damian Marley who won Best Reggae Artist.
Damian's father Bob Marley was awarded a posthumous Achievement Award, which was collected by Damian and brothers Julian and Stephen, who together closed the show with a performance of 'Could You Be Loved'. Another Outstanding Contribution award went to Public Enemy, while a similar tribute was made to Luther Vandross, who died earlier this year, with Omar, Nate James and Mica Paris all providing a musical tribute to the late singer.
As for the other gongs distributed to those who excel in making music of a black origin, well, here's the full list...
Best Album: Lemar - Time To Grow
Best Hip Hop Act: Sway
Best Jazz Act: Rhian Benson
Best R&B Act: John Legend
Best Reggae Act: Damian Marley - Welcome To Jamrock
Best Single: Lethal B - Pow (Forward)
Best UK Club DJ: Steve Sutherland
Best UK Newcomer: Kano
Best UK Radio DJ: Tim Westwood
Best Video: Snoop Dogg (ft Pharrell) - Drop It Like It's Hot
Best World Music Act: Daddy Yankee
UK Act of the Year: Lemar
Best African Act: Youssou N'Dour
Posthumous Achievement Award: Bob Marley
Outstanding Contribution to Black Music: Public Enemy
The MOBOs will be on the telly, on BBC1, tonight at 11.35pm.