TOKIO MYERS TO PERFORM HIS MOVING RENDITION OF

ED SHEERAN’S ’BLOODSTREAM’ AS THE B POSITIVE CHOIR TAKES THE STAGE FOR THEIR DEBUT TV PERFORMANCE

AFRICAN MUSIC SUPERSTAR DAVIDO CONFIRMED TO PERFORM AT THE UK’S BIGGEST URBAN MUSIC AWARDS SHOW

OTHER PERFORMERS CONFIRMED FOR NEXT WEEK’S MEGA SHOW: BILLBOARD’S NO. 1 U.S. STAR CARDI B, KREPT & KONAN, STEFFLON DON, YUNGEN AND YXNG BANE

SPECTACULAR SPECIAL GUEST SURPRISES ON THE NIGHT

THE MOBO AWARDS TAKES PLACE ON 29 NOVEMBER AT

FIRST DIRECT ARENA IN LEEDS

Tickets on sale from www.mobo.com 

DOWNLOAD HI-RES IMAGES/LOGO HERE: http://bit.ly/mobo2017 

Thursday 23 November – Superstar presenters Maya Jama and Marvin Humes are confirmed to host the 2017 MOBO Awards at First Direct Arena in Leeds on 29 November. The show will be broadcast on Channel 5 that evening at 11pm. At 23 years of age, Maya is the youngest person to ever host the MOBO Awards.

Marvin Humes said: “The MOBOs have been a huge part of my life, I’ve been lucky enough to attend, perform and win over the years so now to be back as a host alongside Maya Jama is a huge honour! Can’t wait for next week it’s gonna be a big night in Leeds!”

Maya Jama said: “I could not be more thrilled to announce that I will be hosting this year’s MOBO Awards in Leeds. It’s an honour to be included as they celebrate their 22^nd year – it’s going to be massive. The night can’t come soon enough!”

London-born pianist Tokio Myers, who won Britain’s Got Talent 2017, will be performing his stellar rendition of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Bloodstream’ before introducing the B Positive Choir for a moving, world exclusive performance of Andra Day’s ‘Rise Up’. Following last year’s hugely successful ‘Represent’ campaign headed up by the 2016 MOBO Awards Best Female winner Lady Leshurr, MOBO and NHS Blood and Transplant have teamed up for the second successive year – this time creating the B Positive Choir. The 60-person strong choir comprises of individuals who either live with sickle cell or are families, friends and supporters of those who are affected by the disease. The choir members, who have come from all over England, will be led by Choir Master Colin Anderson.

The MOBO Awards continues to flex the diversity in urban music and culture in its 22^nd year by locking in an electrifying line up of the best in British talent and international stars. Afrobeat music sensation and producer Davido will make his MOBO Awards stage debut next week. The Nigerian star, who is nominated for Best African Act, will top off a stellar year by taking on the UK’s biggest urban music awards show following a historic double win at the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act and Best Worldwide Act – the latter, marking the first time an African artist has won the award.

Urban music’s night of nights will also include performances by chart-topping US rap sensation Cardi B, South London hip hop titans Krept & Konan, hotly tipped emcee Stefflon Don, and ‘Bestie’ stars Yungen and Yxng Bane. Expect a spectacular night of surprise performances and very special appearances from some of the biggest names in music.

Stormzy leads the 2017 MOBO Awards nominations with a whopping five nominations for Best Male, Best Grime Act, Best Album for “Gang Signs & Prayer”, Best Song and Best Video for ‘Big For Your Boots’. East London rapper J Hus picked up four nominations for Best Male, Best Album for “Common Sense”, Best Song for ‘Did You See’ and Best Video for ‘Spirit’. Elsewhere, hotly tipped R&B singer Jorja Smith picks up three prestigious nominations for Best Female, Best R&B/Soul Act and Best Newcomer, and Sampha earns nods for Best Male, Best R&B/Soul Act and Best Album for his critically acclaimed debut “Process”.

The MOBO Award winners for Best R&B/Soul Act, Best Jazz Act and Best Gospel Act were announced on Monday 20 November at the third annual Pre-MOBO Awards Show in London. Craig David won Best R&B/Soul Act – marking his sixth MOBO Award win, Moses Boyd took home Best Jazz Act – his second following 2015’s win as part of duo Binker & Moses, and Volney Morgan & New-Ye won Best Gospel Act, topping off a triumphant ten years in the ministry. Earlier this month, top-selling jazz man Gregory Porter was honoured with an Outstanding Contribution to Music MOBO Award.

MOBO Awards arena tickets are on sale now from www.mobo.com and www.firstdirectarena.com  Prices are £22, £35 and £45 excluding handling charges.

VIP packages can be obtained via [email protected]

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Editor’s notes

Throughout the year MOBO supports undiscovered musical talent online, via the Connect playlists, its UnSung talent competition followed by an artist development programme and other initiatives which have led to various aspiring artists being given record deals and other opportunities. 

Other MOBO activities include #MOBOmovement – offering people the opportunity to see their contributions published on MOBO’s YouTube channel – songwriting workshops, film screenings and support to talent across the wider creative industries. The newly established charity, MOBO Trust, aims to help young people realise their potential in the creative sector.

Press contact:

The Outside Organisation

David Lim – [email protected] 

Jack Delaney – [email protected]

Corinna Ingram – [email protected]