With little surprise Ms Dynamite stole the night adding three MOBO Awards to her Mercury Music Prize and ensuring her rise and rise continues. She took the awards for best newcomer, best UK act and best single, for ‘It Takes More’. Taking over the London Arena the ceremony was hosted by LL Cool J and Mis-Teeq’s Alesha and, among other things, two posthumous awards were made – best video went to the late R&B star Aaliyah and an outstanding achievement award was given to Lisa 'Left-eye' Lopes. The winners in full:
Best R&B Act in association with Choice FM: Ashanti
Best Video in association with MTV Base: Aaliyah - More Than A Woman
Best Newcomer in association with KISS 100: Ms Dynamite
MasterCard Best Album: Alicia Keys - Songs In A Minor
London Tonight UK Act Of The Year: Ms Dynamite
Best Single in association with Galaxy Network: Ms Dynamite
Best Producer in association with MP3.com: Neptunes
Best World Music Act in association with British Airways: Angelique Kidjo
Best Garage Act in association with The Daily Telegraph: Mis-Teeq
Best Hip Hop Act: Ja Rule
Best Reggae Act: Sean Paul
Best UK DJ: Steve Sutherland
Best Jazz Act: Norah Jones
Best Gospel Act: Norah Jones
Raymond Weil MOBO Unsung Award: Street Politiks
MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award: Chaka Khan
MOBO Contribution to Urban Music: Jimmy Cliff
MOBO Outstanding Achievement: Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopez
There was a little bit of controversy outside the awards where gay rights group Outrage protested about the inclusion of Elephant Man, Tok and Capelton as nominees in the best reggae category – they claim the three reggae stars are violently homophobic. The groups Peter Tatchell told the NME: "Their nomination is tantamount to rewarding bigotry. It is the moral equivalent of the Brit Awards nominating a racist entertainer who incites the killing of black people. The Mobo organisers should withdraw these nominations immediately, and apologise to the gay community for the insult and offence they have caused." As it was the actual award went to Sean Paul.