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The Moboos: Fans jeer as Leona fails to turn up
Last updated at 08:46am on 16.10.08London artists were today celebrating a breakthrough in urban music after Estelle and Leona Lewis scooped four of the top prizes at the Mobo awards.
But while soul singer Estelle was the toast of the evening after cancelling a concert in America to be at the ceremony, Lewis was booed by fans for failing to attend. Estelle, 28, beat Lewis, the former X Factor winner, to win best UK female, before collecting the best song award for American Boy. Lewis, 23, picked up best album for the multi-million-selling Spirit as well as best video for Bleeding Love.
'I had to be here': double Mobo winner Estelle arrives at the Wembley Arena ceremony
The jeering began at the Wembley Arena as Hackney-born Lewis gave an acceptance speech by video for her best album award. She said: “Thank you so much, I'm so sorry I can't be here with you tonight ... I'm there in spirit with you all.”
The booing got so loud that the ceremony's co-host, former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, had to appeal to the crowd saying: “Stop giving Leona Lewis a hard time, you lot. It's not her fault she's not here.”
There in spirit: Leona Lewis sent a message apologising for not attending
The frosty response for the Simon Cowell protégé, who this year became the first British woman to reach No 1 in the US pop charts for two decades, shocked the singer Sinitta who accepted the best video award on Lewis's behalf.
She could barely be heard as she said: “I remember when Simon (Cowell) and I first discovered her and she goes from strength to strength ... You should be proud of her.”
Estelle, who grew up in Hammersmith, made a point of saying she made an effort to be present. “I'm supposed to be on tour, but I'm here. I had to be here,” she said.
East London rapper Dizzee Rascal was voted best UK male for the second year running. Rapper Chipmunk, 18, from Enfield, was best UK newcomer.
Saxophonist YolanDa Brown received the jazz prize.
Kanya King, founder and chief executive of Mobo, said: “I'm particularly delighted that British talent through artists such as Estelle and Leona receive the recognition they justly deserve.”
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Reader views (10)
Kitty, where do you see a bar? It says music of black origin, not music where people who are not black cannot participate. Black British artists do not get much recognition when it comes to the Brits. They tend to favour Black Americans. The only reason why you have got a bee in your bonnet is because the word "Black" is in the title. By the way its "Sparkle".
- Sparkle, London
Leona was in America - shes always in America as she is a product created for the American market. Cant understand the hype myself - how can she win best album when she only sings on it? She didnt write any of it..
- Joanne, London UK
Saprkle, Kanye West won best International male at the Brits this year; Leona Lewis was nominated several times. Black/non-white people aren't discriminated against in the Brits. I agree with Chris that there would be hell to pay if white people extablished something to actively bar others of other colours.
- Kitty, London
Chris, there is no need to have MOWO's...we've got that already... It's called The Brit Awards!!!!
- Sparkle, London
Just a thought.......... but wouldn't there be outrage if we introduced the 'Music of White Origin' awards or the MOWO's.....
- Chris, London
I was at the MOBO's yesterday, she got booed for not turning and the way she has treated the people that have her other album and others
I think she's turning into a diva and forgtton her roots.
I dont like her anymore she has no loyalty
- Lance C, London
I don't understand why there is a MOBO awards.
All popular music is derived from black music. Rock, pop, blues, jazz..
- Al Stuart, Ealing
Maybe if Estelle was having as much worldwide success as Leona she wouldn't have been there either!
- Tim, London, UK
Can someone please explain why Leona Lewis won a MOBO prize? What on earth is essentially black about her music? It's pop, plain and simple, which is fine but the whole point (supposedly) of the MOBO awards was to reward artists whose achievements aren't rewarded elsewhere.
Is anyone seriously suggesting that Leona's music/videos/whatever wouldn't be eligible for nomination for a Brit or Smash Hits award?
- Bilbo Baggins, Middle Earth
I'm not surprised she didn't turn up. The MOBOs have no credability in the music industry, why should she waste her time and money appearing? Years ago the show used to be on mainstream tv, it has now been relegated to BBC3 at 10:45pm!
Interesting that Kanya King makes a quote about 'British talent'. For years she has sidelined 'British talent' and had American artists not only performing but filtered down any awards that had the initials 'UK' in them so that the American artists won!
- Deevineb, London
