Wiley and D Double E are among the names confirmed to take part in a special tribute marking 25 years of grime at this year’s MOBO Awards.
The ceremony, which honours some of the most influential Black music and culture from the UK and beyond, is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. It will take place on March 26 at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, with tickets available here.
The night is shaping up to be packed with major performances, as Olivia Dean, FLO and Tiwa Savage have already been announced for the live line-up. Now, organisers have added a dedicated segment celebrating the impact and history of grime.
Titled ‘MOBO Salutes Grime 25’, the segment will be curated by DJ Target and will bring together a run of performances from Wiley, Chip, Nolay, Scorcher and D Double E.
Kanya King, founder and CEO of the MOBO Group, said: “Celebrating Grime on the MOBO stage feels incredibly meaningful. It’s one of the most important cultural movements this country has produced, and its rise reflects MOBO’s own journey, championing homegrown sounds, elevating new voices and helping take underground culture into the mainstream.”
She continued: “MOBO has always stood for community as much as celebration, which is why partnerships like our work with Prostate Cancer UK are so important. Using this platform to raise awareness and drive change is a responsibility we take seriously.”
MOBO has also confirmed a partnership with Manchester City Council to host the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long run of events leading up to the awards. The programme will include free panels, showcases, workshops and live performances across the city.
The nominations for this year were revealed last month, with Little Simz, Olivia Dean and rising acts kwn and Jim Legxacy leading the pack with four nominations each.
Close behind are Central Cee, Flo, PinkPantheress and Skepta, who each received three nominations. Meanwhile, the Best Newcomer category includes EsDeeKid, Jim Legxacy, Finessekid and YT among its 10 nominees.
The awards also highlight achievements in film and television, with nominees including Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham for Adolescence, Cynthia Erivo for Wicked and Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners.
See the complete list of nominees here.
Last year’s ceremony was held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, where Bashy won Album Of The Year for his first record in 15 years, ‘Being Poor Is Expensive’. Darkoo picked up Best Female Act and Song Of The Year for ‘Favourite Girl’, while Ayra Starr won both Best African Music Act and Best International Act.
