Featuring performances by Rumer, Guvna B, Moelogo, Ayanna Witter Johnson, Shaun Escoffery and more special guests.

Hosted by Lemar and China Moses

THE PRE-MOBO AWARDS SHOW IS HELD AT CADOGAN HALL, LONDON, ON THURSDAY 27 OCTOBER

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW: 
http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/pre-mobo-awards-2016

Friday 21^st October 2016, London, England – Following the success of last year’s hugely popular inaugural event, the Pre-MOBO Awards Show is back with a bang, celebrating the finest in Soul, Jazz, Gospel and African music. Legendary artists like Courtney Pine, Mica Paris and Omar performed at the very first show last year, leaving the audience wanting more.

Soul music star and three-time MOBO Award winner Lemar will be hosting the festivities together with jazz singer and television host China Moses. The awards for Best R&B/Soul Act, Best Jazz Act, Best Gospel Act and Best African Acts will be presented on the night. Also in attendance will be the Top 3 finalists of this year’s MOBO UnSung talent competition, with the winner being announced on stage.

There will be unforgettable performances by platinum-selling British soul chanteuse Rumer, Best Gospel nominee Guvna B, jazz artist Ayanna Witter Johnson, R&B singer and theatre star Shaun Escoffery and many more.

Making her MOBO stage debut, Brit Award-nominee Rumer is set to enthrall the crowd with her timeless blend of soul pop. Her debut album Seasons of My Soul has sold over a million copies worldwide and earned her fans in Burt Bacharach, Jools Holland and Elton John. Her incredible success has seen her perform for President Barack Obama in the White House and Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace to name a few. Rumer is due to release her fourth album “This Girl’s In Love: a Bacharach and David Songbook” this week.

Multi-award winning, record-breaking rap artist Guvna B is no stranger to the MOBO family. In 2010, he took home the award Best Gospel and in 2013, with the release of Odd1Out, he became the first artist to top the Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart with a rap album. His latest album Secret World was the UK’s highest-selling urban Christian album in 2015. Guvna B’s undeniable talent and influence has elevated him to become a sought-after collaborator for the likes of Hillsong Music, Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams, Nick Brewer and many more. He has performed for crowds in Wembley and shared the stage with the likes of Lecrae, MOBO Award-winner Tinie Tempah and Wrech 32. Other nominees for the Best Gospel category this year include:Andrew Bello, Sarah Teibo, S.O and Volney Morgan & New-Ye.

Best African Act nominee Moelogo will also be performing on the night. The popular Nigerian vocalist, who first rose to prominence in Gambia, has since made his mark in the UK, garnering support from BBC 1Xtra, Reprezent and Choice FM to name a few. He has collaborated with the likes of MOBO Award-nominees Chip and Kano and also performed to crowds at Wembley for Africa Unplugged Festival.

Honey-voiced jazz artist Ayanna Witter Johnson is a talent that knows no bounds. The British vocalist, cellist and composer was the first non-American to win the legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Since then she has played shows all over the world, performed with MOBO Award-winner Laura Mvula and recorded with Akala on two of his albums.

Also performing at the Pre-MOBO Awards Show is celebrated London soul singer and West End star Shaun Escoffery. Everyone from Idris Elba to Erykah Badu and Angie Stone are enthralled with his talent. After enjoying success on the R&B scene in the early 2000s, Shaun turned his attention to theatre. He plays Mufasa in the London production of The Lion King and earned a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for playing several roles in Parade in 2007.

This year’s Pre-MOBO Awards Show is offering the general public a chance to join us in the celebration. You can purchase tickets to the show from Cadogan Hall’s website. Tickets are all priced at £20 + £3 handling fee.

The 2016 MOBO Awards nominees for Best R&B/Soul Act, Best Jazz Act, Best Gospel Act and Best African Act are:

BEST R&B/SOUL ACT (supported by Mi-Soul)

James Blake

Laura Mvula

Michael Kiwanuka

Nao

Shakka

BEST JAZZ ACT (supported by Jazz FM)

Bill Laurance

Cory Henry

Esperanza Spalding

Jacob Collier

Michael Janisch

BEST GOSPEL ACT (supported by Premier Gospel)

Andrew Bello

Guvna B

Sarah Teibo

S.O

Volney Morgan & New-Ye

BEST AFRICAN ACT

Eugy

Moelogo

Mr Eazi

Tiwa Savage

WizKid

For more information visit www.mobo.com #MOBOAwards

Twitter / @MOBOAwards

Facebook / MOBOAwards

Instagram / @MOBOAwards

…//ends

For further information please contact:

David Lim / [email protected]

0207 436 3633

Jack Delaney / [email protected]

0207 436 3633

MOBO Organisation

Vannessa Amadi-Ogbonna / [email protected]

0208 558 8558

Editors Notes

MOBO Awards

The MOBO Awards were established in 1996 by Kanya King MBE to recognise the outstanding achievements of artists in musical genres ranging from soul and reggae to hip hop, grime and afrobeats. It is one of the world’s leading urban music brands and now in its 21^st year, the awards are a celebration of top musical and cultural achievements.

Over the years, MOBO have evolved into an all-year round movement supporting emerging as well as established talent across various musical and other creative genres as it pursues its mission to create more opportunities and platforms for talent that might otherwise go unnoticed.

For many artists, especially those who are independent, the MOBO Awards exemplifies success through struggle and hard work and is a point of reference for enterprising achievement.

Via our talent development programme and fellowships, MOBO empower and nurture emerging talent through understanding different elements of the industry which is key for a successful career, not just in the music industry, but the creative industry as a whole.

Premier Gospel - https://www.premiergospel.org.uk

Premier Gospel... Music For Life!  Listen live On DAB digital radio in London, iPhone and Android apps.

Jazz FM - http://www.jazzfm.com

Listen to the best of jazz, soul and blues on Jazz FM on national DAB and online.

Mi-Soul – http://mi-soul.com

Igniting London’s Soul. Listen via DAB, Mi-Soul App, website or TuneIn