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Tottenham teen rapper Chipmunk gains his spurs with Mobo win
By Peter Dominiczak, Evening Standard Last updated at 11:22am on 01.10.09London rapper Chipmunk has been crowned the new king of hip-hop at the Mobo awards.
Centre stage: Chipmunk, middle, winner of the best hip hop act Mobo, poses with JLS after the boyband collected their best newcomer award
The rapper, also known as Jahmaal Fyffe, beat off Eminem and Kanye West on a night when British artists finally overturned the American dominance of the urban music scene.
Capital performer: Londoner YolanDa Brown with her best jazz award
JLS, finalists on last year's X Factor, and the north London hip-hop group N-Dubz each took two awards, ahead of artists such as Beyoncé and X Factor winner Alexandra Burke.
Tribute and celebration: Jermaine Jackson sings in honour of his brother Michael
But it was Chipmunk, from Tottenham, who pulled off the biggest upset of the night.
The 18-year-old grime artist, who recently sat his A-levels, had received four nominations and won the coveted best hip hop act.
“It's just been amazing to be considered in the same category as artists like Eminem and Kanye,” he said.
JLS — Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Jonathan “JB” Gill and Oritse Williams — walked away with gongs for best newcomer and best song for their number one hit, Beat Again. N-Dubz — best newcomers in 2007 — took home prizes for best album and best British act.
To complete the clutch of awards for Londoners, Barking-born saxophonist YolanDa Brown walked away with the best jazz prize.
But Dizzee Rascal, with two number one singles this year, and fellow rapper Tinchy Stryder, who were nominated in three categories, went home empty handed.
The Mobo awards, which celebrate artists of any race who perform black-influenced music, have in the past been dogged by questions about the state of the British black music industry.
Kanya King, the founder and head of the awards, said: “It feels like we've truly arrived. This is what I've been striving for all of these years, when people say that urban acts don't sell. This is the most phenomenal year for British stars ever. I've never known a year like this for British music. Just look at the worldwide rise to fame that these artists have had.”
Beyoncé, who was not at the ceremony, won the best international award as well as best video for her hit Single Ladies.
Keri Hilson won the prize for the best R&B act and Sean Paul went home with the best reggae award. Trevor Nelson won best DJ, Victizzle won the best gospel award and Nneka won with the prize for best African act.
The awards, in their 14th year, were held outside London for the first time at the SECC in Glasgow.
The ceremony also saw a tribute to Michael Jackson, performed by his brother Jermaine and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who performed at Jackson's memorial service in July. Introduced by his sister La Toya, Jackson performed his brother's favourite song, Smile, in his memory, while Shaheen performed the Jackson Five hit I'll Be There.
Jackson spoke of the need to keep the star's music “alive”, adding that he had a “responsibility” to his brother's memory.
He said: “My brother was everything to me. He was a wonderful artist and a wonderful human being.”
Jackson also spoke of his hope that his efforts would help his brother's fans “accept” his death.
“Michael has a lot of fans here — all over Europe — and I think it is important for the fans to be here too, to accept it and be a part of it. That is part of our job too, to keep the legacy going,” he said.
THE WINNERS
Best UK Act N-dubzz
Best Newcomer JLS
Best Song JLS — Beat Again
Best Album N-Dubz
Best DJ Trevor Nelson
Best Hip Hop Chipmunk
Best R&B Keri Hilson
Best International Beyoncé
Best Video Beyoncé — Single Ladies
Best Reggae Sean Paul
Best Jazz YolanDa Brown
Best Gospel Victizzle
Best African Act Nneka
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Reader views (25)
it's music man, it's a separate music. What i mean is that white people should have joined up years ago ( Instead of the Beastie Boys being the only one). I am from the US and Chipmunk is 100% better than Eminem. Who started rock and roll? Let these people have their time in the sunshine for once.
- Americanidoit, US
Look at all these bigots getting angry that black people are making strides in the music industry and are celebrating the fact with an awards show. What the hell has the black police association got to do with the music. Also Eminem was up for best rapper and Mr Hudson performed and guess what they are WHITE, so stop getting your knickers in a twist, just beacause it is the MOBO'S. I Bet most of you didn't even watch and just decided to complain. Bunch of losers!
- Open Mind, London
The fact that someone calling himself "Chipmunk" won an award tells you quite a lot about this highly-acclaimed pile of guff, sorry, event.
- Anon, England
@ Nolan
".. anyone can join .."
Semantics dear boy, just a smoke screen. It would be akin to saying anyone can join a hunt. Would animal rights activists join? No of course not because they simply do hold the same aims.
As I say, dress it up anyway you wish.
- Frank, Home Counties, England
Can't tell the difference between a music award and the BNP Brandon? Here's a clue: I don't think Chipmunk is big on involuntary repatriation.
- Nolan, Londonist
SO how many white people won in this racist award show? There is no need for a "black only" award show and this is no different than the BNP, but the BNP is frowned upon, why?
- Brandon Thomas, SW7
Frank, what part of "ANYONE can join the MBPA" sounds like discrimination to you? What part of "ANYONE can win a MOBO" sounds like racism?
Because the BNP's Constitution limits membership to "The indigenous British ethnic groups deriving from the class of Indigenous Caucasian". Which sounds VERY different to me.
If you had indeed "spent years working against discrimination on the basis of colour" I would expect you to be able to spot the difference.
- Nolan, Londonist
Chipmunk are a refreshing change, certain kinds of music are looking dated and tired. Good to see the retro Neo Romantic trends coming out by Black & White alike regardless of the politics of today.
Keep at it guys.
- Gordon, UK
@ Nolan, Londonist
Actually there is no difference in principle. Both discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin. Doesn't matter how much you want to dress it up Nolan.
I spent years working against discrimination on the basis of colour, now look what's happened in our society. Jobs being advertised for non-whites only?
As much you want to deny what's happing, unfortunately people can see it for what it is.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Anyone can join the MBPA. Anyone can win a MOBO. Only white people can join the BNP Frank, it's in their rules, that's the difference. Get it?
- Nolan, Londonist
@ Nolan, Londonist
".. anyone can join the MBPA as long as they agree with its aims .."
In the same way as anyone can join the BNP as long as they adhere to their aims?
Don't be an idiot. It is quite clear what both the MBPA and MOBO awards are all about.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Actually Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, I was talking about Keith Price, Luton England, however with your last statement I can see you have a very similar chip on your shoulder....
On what basis to you say that the Mobo's are unwelcoming to white artists? Can you give an example of a white artist who has been made to feel unwelcome?
- Mark, St Albans
Yes Keith, and every time you go on about the Metropolitan Black Police Association you make yourself look even more silly. As you've been told a hundred times (but apparently still fail to understand), anyone can join the MBPA as long as they agree with its aims, whether they are Black or not.
In the same way Amy Winehouse can win the Best UK Female award at the MOBO's 2 years ago. If you don't know your hip hop liyrics, let me remind you: "It's not where you're from, it's where you're at!"
- Nolan, Londonist
The MOBO's, unlike the Brits, are about as welcoming to white people as the Black Police Association. Something that I will continue to highlight whenever to opportunity arises.
Mark St Albans; yes, I do have an opinion on most things and will continue to exercise my right to express them, whether you like it or not.
As for my knowledge, well I can't compare it to yours, as you haven't displayed any.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
Decency, what criteria? it looks like the criteria is black skin, as JLS songs certainly dont sound black too me, So I guess the criteria is black sounding music or black singers with white voices, either way highly racist!
- Mike, London
They are artists,not bands.
music of white origin - the brits
- Justin, London
Putting aside colour,more importantly,how many of these 'bands' can play an instrument?
- Steve, London
So much for the governments equality, inclusion and diversity programme... what does Trevor Philips have to say about this annual racist ceremony????
- Mc, London
Who cares. Rap is a load of old crock anyway.
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey
Keith, an opinion on everything, actual knowledge on very little..
Paul h, grow up, discuss...
- Mark, St Albans
Paul, the music of white origin awards have been running for quite some time, there called the BRITS.
- Jeff A, London
The MOBO Awards: for Music Of Black Origin. You can just imagine the furore if someone oganised a Music Of White Origin Awards. You'd have every anti-racist in the country calling for them to be banned, and to have every race-discrimination law in the book thrown at whoever was behind it.
I'm not against the MOBOs in any way, but I do resent the dualism that it highlights.
So let's open it up. The MOBO Awards are racist: discuss.
- Paul H, London, UK
Probably the most stupid statement I have ever heard.
MOBO's do exactly what is says on the tin, which is to celebrate URBAN music which was MOSTLY pioneered by black people.
People of any ethnic minority can be nominated for MOBO's if their music fits into the criteria.
- Decency, London, UK
When are the Music Of White Origin awards, have I missed them?
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
The MOBO Awards: for Music Of Black Origin. You can just imagine the furore if someone oganised a Music Of White Origin Awards. You'd have every anti-racist in the country calling for them to be banned, and to have every race-discrimination law in the book thrown at whoever was behind it.
I'm not against the MOBOs in any way, but I do resent the dualism that it highlights.
So let's open it up. The MOBO Awards are racist: discuss.
- Paul H, London, UK
Such a shame that a supposed music awards show featured so little music all night. People are sick of the same old tired, lame, rap riffs that have no tune of any kind - they are just American street sounds and dont even have any musical notation. Real musicians seem to come last these days.
- Keith Price, Luton England
