Mobo Awards: Central Cee and Raye named best male and female acts

Central Cee took home Best Male Act as well as Song of the Year for Sprinter with Dave at 2024's Mobo Awards.

Little Simz and Stormzy, who had four award nominations each, were both recognised with one win - Little Simz for best hip-hop Act while Stormzy bagged best music video.

The Gorilla rapper told BBC Newsbeat she was "buzzing" after the award.

Adding the Mobo to her Mercury Prize, Simz said she's felt "really positive" about the past year of her career.

"I've felt really humbled by all the love and all the support I've been getting," she said.

Collecting her trophy, she recalled how she'd been nominated for her first Mobo - best newcomer - in 2014.

"I didn't get it and I never let that discourage me," she said.

"I've worked tirelessly over the years and to be here on this stage receiving this award, I'm so grateful and so humbled."

Escapism singer Raye was also honoured at the awards in Sheffield for best female act.

Both she and Stormzy were unable to make the ceremony in person as they are on tour together in Australia, however they sent videos which were played out to the Sheffield audience.

Beating the likes of Flo, Jorja Smith and Little Simz, Raye said she was "really annoyed" not to be there in person.

This year is set to be a big one for the singer - next month she is up for a record-breaking seven Brit awards.

Central Cee also did not make the ceremony to pick up best male act or song of the year - however the Mobos sprinted through his awards along with seven others towards the end of the night, with no time for acceptance speeches.

The rapper beat the likes of Dave, Stormzy, D-Block Europe, J-Hus and Nines to be named best male act.

Meanwhile Sprinter, which was a collab with Dave, was named song of the year over Raye's Escapism, Jorja Smith's Little Things, Hide & Seek by Stormzy, Who Told You by J Hus feat. Drake and Boys A Liar Pt. 2 by Pink Pantheress and Ice Spice.

Album of the year went to Potter Payper for Real Back in Style.

It was the debut album for the London-based rapper, real name Jamel Bousbaa, that went straight to number two in the charts when it was released over the summer.

Best grime act went to Bugzy Malone who had a mic drop moment - literally - as he celebrated the awards coming from Sheffield for the first time.

"When I first started doing music nobody in the north was making money," he said. "Now we're out here successful, independent, so I guess we're celebrating black independence.

"To that I say, the sky is the limit, be inspired is the mind."

He then dropped his mic and popped champagne in celebration.

There were performances during the night from the Sugababes, who won the Mobo impact award and Soul II Soul who were honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

Other winners included:

Listen to Mobos Song of the Year with DJ Target on BBC Sounds now or watch Mobo Awards: Access all Areas on BBC One at 23:30 GMT on Friday or catch up on BBC iPlayer afterwards.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.

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