What, more awards? Already? Yes, and two of them at that. The nominations for the MOBO Awards and the Australian equivalent of the Brits – the ARIAs – were announced yesterday.
Leading the proceedings on the former is that Estelle, who is shortlisted for no less than five awards - Best UK Female, Best Song, Best R&B/Soul, Best Video and Best Album. She's followed by Leona Lewis and Wiley, who are both up for three gongs each. Dizzee Rascal is on two shortlists.
Commenting on this year's shortlists, MOBO boss Kanya King told CMU: "Hip Hop and R&B have emerged as popular music, not just genres beloved by a minority, and British artists are at the forefront. It's fantastic to see artists like Estelle, who MOBO championed early on, get their due. I'd like to call on the music industry to keep up the good work and capitalise on this. There are still barriers out there. Estelle had to go to America to really break through and be given her big chance. The talent is undoubtedly here, let's get behind them".
This year's MOBOs take place at Wembley Arena on 15 Oct.
In the Aussie awards, Sydney boy Sam Sparro has done rather well, getting five nominations, though not as well as teenage singer Gabriella Cilmi, who is up for six awards, including Single Of The Year, Best Female Artist and two Breakthrough Artist awards (one for her debut single and one for her debut album). Other nominees include Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, Midnight Juggernauts, Silverchair and Kylie.
The ARIAs will be presented at the Acer Arena in Sydney on 19 Oct.
Full nominations lists for both the MOBOs and ARIAs are given at the bottom of today's CMU Daily. (Click here to jump to them now)