Tonight:
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Celebrating style over substance
Arwa Haider, Metro18 Sep 2006
If there was an award for the best British awards ceremony, the Mobos would be a pretty hot contender.
It's big on glamour, fully televised (live on BBC3 this Wednesday, repeated Friday) - and its USP is that, unlike the Mercurys, Brits or Kerrang! awards, the show is open to the paying public.
Its fundamental weakness is that, since its 1996 inception, the Mobos have skirted around what 'Music Of Black Origin' actually means; isn't nearly all music 'Mobo'?
Instead, it gathers copious categories from Best Group (Black Eyed Peas, Gnarls Barkley, Outkast, The Pussycat Dolls and The Streets are 2006's nominees) to Best Reggae and Best Gospel.
Transatlantic talent dominates the live bill, with British successes Corinne Bailey Rae, Lemar and Jamelia, flanking ex-Destiny's Child LeToya and soul veteran Sam Moore, with Gangsta's Paradise rapper (and early Mobowinner) Coolio as host. Perhaps the Mobos are a celebration of style over substance. But hey, that's showbiz - and the party takes place in what is surely London's most 'bling' venue.
Wed, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore SW7, 8pm, £25 to £75 (limited availability). Tel: 020 7589 8212. Tube: South Kensington
