MOBO AWARDS 2009: CR@P "YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT I SAID IT!"

OK I didn't want to do it, but I have to comment on this travesty of a show.  I was really hoping and PRAYING that this year I would be able to write a half decent report on the show, but I have just lost 2hrs of my life watching the most confusing, random show on earth.

I really don't get the point of the show at all.  I think they should change the name as it seems to me that what the title suggests isn't what is actually means. MOBO, Music Of Black Origin should be exactly that, otherwise it then becomes a joke.

I was actually very pleased to know that the awards were going to take place outside of London for once, which I thought was a good move.  I think it's high time that the event moved around the country, as black music isn't just bought by black people.  If artist were relying on just the black race to buy there records, they would be in alot trouble.

Black music is something that's loved by all and should be shared by all.  What many people fail to realise is that the majority of "black music" is bought predominantly by white people, as they ARE the majority in this country.  I have seen some rather ignorant comments on several social networking sites that people have left in regards to the fact that it has moved out of London, with one person even saying "Music of Black Origin, but you have it in Scotland???" Huh!, they clearly don't realise that black people didn't originate from Scotland either, so why not move it to Scotland or Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool and any other major UK city. 

So with this new move, I though "OK, so maybe MOBOs have turned over a new leaf, maybe this year I won't be left thinking WHAT THE HELL" But NO, they took one giant leap forward and 10 steps back!

First off let me start with the title of the award show, so that you can realise why I'm ranting so much.  MOBOs (Music Of Black Origin) i've noticed that the term "black" is sometimes dropped out when talking about "black" music and replaced with term "Urban".  Am I wrong in thinking that this term came into play when The Brit Awards decided to introduce a category into their ceremony when So Solid blew up big time a few years back?  At the time The Brits had to acknowledge artist like So Solid and Miss Dynamite as they were everywhere and clearly the darlings of the music industry at the time.

The Brits never fully acknowledge "black" music until then, but were forced to when they realised the popularity of Miss Dynamite, So Solid and other artist of the time doing "black music".  Rather than starting a category called "Best Music Of Black Origin" they called it "Best Urban Act".  It seems to me that to use the term "black" is almost taboo when talking about music.  I read on a popular newspaper site from one of its readers "hmm, if there was an awards show called Music Of White Origin, there would be outrage" This reader has clearly never seen, The NME Awards, The Brits (Can you say Craig David snub, remember that?), Q Awards etc.

The term "black music" if used in a generic way to describe music that's also done by people outside of the black race mustn't be said, we must used the term "Urban" to make the "establishment" feel "comfortable".  As we all know "black" is such a dark and ugly word that no-one wants to be associated with it (sarcasm folks).  However, when the term "black" is frequently used for any negative wrong doings in the community, it gets used like there's no tomorrow.

As a "black" woman I'm very proud of my race and the things that we have achieved and the obstacles that we have had to overcome in order to progress and move forward in society.  So it pisses me off to no end when I see that the word "black" is still frowned on, even in the industry of work that we excel in as a people, Music.  I'm sure our black ancestor would be happy to know that the term "black" of which they fought so long to be used, as opposed to the other word (you know what I mean, starts with N ends with R!) that they were called frequently for so long, is disregarded in such a way.

No black person in the world is saying that no one outside the black race cannot do the music that black people created, as long as when anyone does it, its done well and it's not bastardise it, cool! We love Amy Winehouse, Eminem, Tina Marie (old skool, if you don't know get to know, my girl can sang!) Jay Sean, Joss Stone, Duffy, Jameroquai etc.  There talented individuals who have a ginuwine love for the music. If the music industry want to call "black music" "urban music" to apese the masses (i.e white people) what the hell for?  It never bothered the above mentioned artist that make a living of "black music", so why would it bother the general population (ie white folk) 

I have never had any problem with being described as "black", as that's what I am. I have NEVER in my life been called "Urban". What the hell does that mean? Am I now to describe myself as an "Urban" woman, when I fill out a job application should I tick the box that says "Urban".  It's BLACK MUSIC, get comfortable with it and stop all the FOOLISHNESS! Yeah that's right I said it! BLACK BLACK BLACK.

So now that i'm done with my "Black Vs Urban" rant, what was up with the show I hear you say Miss Lala?  Well, if you missed it, well done to you.  I wish I was in your shoes.  The show started well with Tinchy Stryders performance, but then it was all down hill from there.  I'm very bemused at how JLS win anything at The MOBO Awards, they do POP music.  This is one of the reasons the show should either change its name or get serious with the category's of music.  Am I to assume that they got nominated for being black, or did the get nominated for producing black music, which is it?  If it's for being black, then congratulations for winning boys!  To Miss Kanya King, I have been black all my life, can I have an award as well please?????

They need to open up a pop category for artists like JLS who do pop music if they want to honor them by giving them an award, this just makes the show very confusing and farcical.  If a white boy band sang the songs that JLS sing, would they be up for nomination???

Was I the only one wondering where Peter Andre fitted into all of this???? I didnt realised that "Mysterious Girl" played such a big role in black music!

I felt bad for Kelly Rowland when she missed her que, dont think she'll be back anytime soon.  She looked really pissed at that.  People, people leave her hair alone, she's a really nice lady.  We all have bad hair days!

As for N-Dubz, am I the only one that simply "dosent GET IT".  They seem to be marketing them as the UKs answer to The Black Eye Peas, but "NO NO NO". They looked and sounded awful, sorry but I cant jump on the N-Dubz bandwagon, I will not be forced into liking there music just because everyone else is.  They are not setting my world on fire, and as for "paving the way" Paving the way for what? Having a bunch of kids scream "nah nah nah".  Are you kidding me! all the BAFOONERY, TOMFOOLERY has to STOP.  I'm not having it, there are 100 talented individuals out there way better than this group, but due to the powers that be, this is the group that is being pushed down our throats as the face of UK Black Music, this is dumbed down music for a dumbed down generation of kids.  Please don't tell me that's MUSIC OF BLACK ORGINS.  I know my origins and what I witnessed last night did not come from the origins of my people, HELL NO.

I was really hoping that Bashy would win an award.  This is an artist that not only chats sense, but his music is on point.  I was also surprised that Dizzee didnt get anything, his music has been amazing this year, this is an artist that has his cross over sound BANG ON.  He's able to do underground and commercial well, I cant tell you how many times Ive played "Holiday". Taio Cruz did very well performing with Keri Hilson (who looked lovely).  Taio is very smooth with his performances.

Considering that Funky House plays such a huge part in UK music, I though the 10secs they spent highlighting Doneo and Egypt was a joke.  This is the one form of music that we can truely say has exploded of late with a true UK appeal, and they only gave it a short amount of air time, yet they give Peter Andre a mic and tell him to interview people WTF!!

All in all, the show starts with promise then really lets you down by some of the nonsensicle things that they do, consistency is key and The MOBOs lack that. This year was about celebrating UK artist, but I don't know if we have done that at all.  We always want to be on the same level as the Americans, but I have to say if I was an American artist watching that show, I would be pissing myself with laughter. 

YEAH, THATS RIGHT I SAID IT!!!

List of Winners

Best UK Act:  N-Dubz

Best Newcomer:  JLS

Best Song: JLS - Beat Again

Best Album: N-Dubz - Uncle B

Best Hip Hop: Chipmunk

Best R&B: Keri Hilson

Best Video: Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

Best Reggae: Sean Paul

Best Jazz: Yolanda Brown

Best Gospel: Victizzle

Best African Act: Nneka

Best DJ: Trevor Nelson

Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Jackson

Comments

[Leesh]

Miss La La..I love them comments u are 100% right! FIRE x

[lala]

I know I ranted on for a bit, but it had to be said. lol