British singers Estelle and Duffy will battle it out at this year's Music of Black Origin (Mobo) Awards after receiving nominations for Best Female.

The American Boy star has previously criticised the heavy promotion of white singers performing black music.

She has said: 'I'm not mad at them, but I'm wondering - how the hell is there not a single black person in the press singing soul?'

Estelle scored five nominations in total, including Best Album, Song, R&B/Soul and Video.

Head to head: Estelle and Duffy both received Mobo nominations for Best Female

She received more nominations than X Factor star Leona Lewis, who is up for Best U.K. Female, Best Video and Best Album categories.

Londoner Estelle's career soared to new heights only after she went to the US and signed to a record label there.

Her single American Boy was a massive success and she was nominated for the Mercury Prize for the album Shine.

But Estelle lost out to Elbow, who won last night's Mercury Prize with their fourth album The Seldom Seen Kid.

In harmony: Danielle Lloyd with her fiancé DJ Ironik, who is up for Best UK Newcomer, at last night's nominations in London

This year's Mobo Awards see Dizzee Rascal up for Best Song and Hip-Hop as well as Best Male, the category he scooped last year.

International Mobo nominees include Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Mary J Blige, Ne-Yo, Usher, Akon and Alicia Keys.

Jay Sean, Taio Cruz, Wiley and Sway join Dizzee Rascal in the category of Best Male.
US acts usually dominate the R&B/Soul and Hip-Hop categories but British stars Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Estelle and Jay Sean have made inroads this year.

Mobos chief executive Kanya King said there were still 'barriers' preventing stars of British black music from reaching the top.

Frock stars: Mobo founder Kanya King and Nancy Del'Olio

She said: 'Hip Hop and R&B have emerged as popular music, not just genres beloved by a minority and British artists are at the forefront.

'It's fantastic to see artists like Estelle, who Mobo championed early on, get their due.

'I'd like to call on the music industry to keep up the good work and capitalise on this. There are still barriers out there.

'Estelle had to go to America to really break through and be given her big chance. The talent is undoubtedly here, let's get behind them.'

Mel B, who last presented the Mobos in 1999, is back as host, saying: 'I am really excited to be returning as host to this year's awards ceremony.

'I have witnessed the rise of Estelle and Leona Lewis in the US, and 2008 has been an incredible year for Music of Black Origin on both sides of the Atlantic.'

The 13th annual awards will be co-hosted by Rev Run at Wembley Arena in London on October 15 and winners are voted for by the public.

Fifteen minutes and counting: Big Brother's Mohamed and Sylvia also attended the nominations

Nominations for the 2008 Mobo Awards:

Best UK Female
Adele
Duffy
Estelle
Leona Lewis
MIA.

Best UK Male
Dizzee Rascal
Jay Sean
Sway
Taio Cruz
Wiley

Best UK Newcomer
Bryn Christopher
Chipmunk
DJ Ironik
Skepta
T2

Best International Act
Akon
Alicia Keys
Chris Brown
Jay Z
Kanye West
Mariah Carey
Mary J Blige
Ne-Yo
Rihanna
Usher

Best Reggae
Beenie Man
Busy Signal
Etana
Mavado
Tarrus Riley

Best Jazz
Courtney Pine
Guy Barker
Lizz Wright
Tony Kofi
YolanDa Brown

Best Gospel
Ekklesia
GreenJade
Jahaziel
Kirk Franklin
Tye Tribbett

Best African Act
9ice
Asa
D'Banj Mo Hits All Stars
Faze
Hip Hop Pantsula
Jozi
Jua Cali
Magic System
P-Square
Wahu

Best Song
American Boy - Estelle
Dance Wiv Me - Dizzee Rascal
Lollipop - Lil' Wayne
Low - Flo Rida
Wearing My Rolex - Wiley

Best R&B/Soul
Chris Brown
Estelle
Jay Sean
Ne-Yo
Usher

Best Hip Hop
Dizzee Rascal
Jay-Z
Lil' Wayne
Lupe Fiasco
Wiley

Best Video
Kidulthood To Adulthood - Bashy
American Boy - Estelle
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Stryderman - Tinchy Stryder
Heartbreaker - Will.i.am

Best Album
As I Am - Alicia Keys
Shine - Estelle
Spirit - Leona Lewis
The Carter III - Lil' Wayne
Here I Stand - Usher

Best Radio DJ
DJ 279
Ace and Invisible
Masterstepz
Rampage
Robbo Ranx
Semtex
Shortee Blitz
Steve Sutherland
Tim Westwood
Trevor Nelson

Best Club DJ
DJ EZ
Hotsteppa
Masterstepz
Rampage
Sarah Love
Scottie B
Semtex
Shortee Blitz
Steve Sutherland
Tim Westwood