How Wizkid Beat Seun Kuti, D’Banj For MOBO Awards

Fast rising Nigerian pop sensation, Ayo Balogun, better known as Wizkid, last night in Glasgow, Scotland, won the award for Best African Act at this year’s edition of the MOBO Awards.

During the awards show broadcast live on BBC3 and hosted by pop act Jason Derulo and English singer and model Alesha Dixon, Wizkid became a huge surprise winner, clinching the award ahead of superstar D’banj and Afrobeat crown prince, Seun Anikulapo-Kuti.

“We did it! Now let’s get the (MTV) EMA…God bless everyone that voted!!!…wow!!!” Wizkid remarked in a twitter message he posted early this morning.

Other nominees in the Best African Act category inlcude Cheikh Lo, Fatoumata Diawara, Liquideep, Owiny Sigoma Band, Smod, Spoek Mathambo, and Vieux Farka Toure?.

‘The excitement and atmosphere of our second year here in Glasgow has shown the love that the whole country has for MOBO. We felt so welcome the first time we came here, we didn’t think it could be topped. This year has been a phenomenal success and we can’t wait to return in 2013”, Kanya King, CEO and Founder of MOBO, said after the show that attracted top international stars.

Guest presenters on the night included Chipmunk, Olympic medallist Philips Idowu, Fazer of N-Dubz and ex-Sugababe Keisha Buchanan.

Top winners in other categories were Rihanna,who won Best International Act award; Tinie Tempah for Best Hip Hop / Grime Act; Jessie J (Who You Are?) for Best Album; Tinchy Stryder And Dappy (Spaceship) for Best Video; Alborosie as Best Reggae Act and Kairos 4tet as Best Jazz Act.

Others are Best Song In AssociationWith PRS For Music won by Jessie J (Do It Like A Dude); Best Gospel Act – Triple O; Best R&B / Soul Act – Adele and Outsanding Contribution To Music – Boyz II Men.

The Music Of Black Origin, MOBO, is one of the more internationally prestigious awards. The Awards feature some of the best artistes who make music with black origins.

Despite all the negativity and scandals thrown his way, Wizkid continues to rake in more awards. He is already in contention for the prestigious 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards’s Best Newcomers’ prize.

He was nominated alongside Cabo Snoop and Black Coffee.

—Funsho Arogundade