mobo

[brionon]

Just looked up what' Mobo awards' means. Music of black origin. I wonder what would happen if we had a Mowo award,ie Music of White origin. A Riot,probably.

[Booldawg]

It not like music of black origin is heavily under-represented in the the media either. I think this debate comes round each year when the MOBOs are held. Some hold the argument that Country & western have their own music award show, but that doesnt stop someone non-white from entering. I really don't know why they have the MOBOS but will keep an open mind if someone would card to explain.

[suffragette]

Kanya King mortgaged her home about ten years ago to start the Mobo's because the industry at that time was forever overlooking the contribution of black artists and producers to the various styles of music. (A bit like the Oscars until recent breakthroughs by Denzil Washington and Halle Berry).

There were problems and demonstrations by black artists outside the venue this year because jazz had been dropped from the awards ceremony, whilst gospel had been added. As many black jazz musicians pointed out, 'If jazz isn't considered a music of black origin, what is?'

Personally, I have no problem with the award because it is for music of black origin and is not confined to black artists alone.

[admarlow]

It should be Urban Music Awards - UMA's

[The Big Gill]

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/currentwin.asp

[The Big Gill]

http://www.celticmp3s.com/awards/

[4getmenot]

Someone covered this topic yesterday on here. It is MUSIC of black origin not people of Black origin. Therefore white people have won awards on here. Not much different to BRIT AWARDS. British artist but black british artists too.

[Booldawg]

Now explained I can see and understand the point being made. My summary is that music holds no place for this petty 'they-have-more-than-us' attitude. Music has always been a safe haven away from political and social nonsense, a great leveller, bringing people together.

[anotheoldgit]

It is the same with The Black Police Association, and Black Lawers Association etc. I don't think black artists have been overlooked in the past Sammy Davis Jnr, Nat king Cole, Louis Armstrong and didn't Sidney Poitier win an oscar? There have been 38 black nominees since 1970. But one cannot keep comparing numbers just because of skin colour. Just as you can't compare numbers of other differences ie how many blonde actors, actors over 6 foot, actors with one eye, actors in a wheel chair.etc, etc. Everything should be down to talent and ability.

[jno]

white people can win Mobo awards and do. A Mowo award ceremony would cover folk music and morris dancing, and I can't see why anyone would riot at them. Why not set one up and see?

[4getmenot]

eardy and fender this has nothing to do with the artist being black. This is why I stick to Smash hits poll winners party :-)

[suffragette]

But that's the point anotheoldgit, the black artists, police officers, lawyers or whatever started their own organizations because they did not feel their contributions were being fairly assessed and rewarded by the mainstream.

When I was a child in the East End of London in the 70's I remember a furore about the discriminatory treatment of black dockers by their white colleagues who didn't want to share facilities, bonus payments and even jobs with black men. Apparently, the Union Reps sided with the discriminatory practise rather than the abused black workers. It was episodes of this nature that made many black workers form organizations of their own in order to provide a united front against perceived injustices in the workplace, but also to give them a voice when their official representatives were unwilling to fight their corner.

I feel it is sad that many black people still feel the need to have separate organisations in this day and age, but can you really blame them.

[jenstar]

Surely popular music as we know it is, by definition, Music Of Mixed Origin? Attempting to divide it on racial grounds is a really really silly thing to do.

[sandyg2244]

I think blacks have been suppressed so much over the last few hundred years by white people, i dont get offended by the MOBO awards.Black people are getting recognition for their contribution to the amazing music genres which they created over the years, after all.I dont think it's racist, and like country and western, it's a niche, nothing more.They are under-represented on tv, in media, everywhere really.For goodness sake, at least let black people have something wonderful that was after all, invented by the black community- r&b, soul etc in peace without such comments.

[anotheoldgit]

suffragrette :- Surely then taking that the pendalum has now swung almost fully the other way, is it not time for White, Heterosexual, Middleclass Males to now start up their own select group? To fight for equal opportunities in jobs. And if you think discrimination does not exist for this group, and you fit the criteria WHMM, try applying for jobs in the Police or Fireservice, and if your aim is to enter politics try getting certain parties to nominate you.

[MiltonJ]

Why would you have a Music of White Origin awards in this country? I would understand that if it was in a country where music derived from a minority white culture needed a platform.
Anyway like it or loathe it the MOBOs have had nominees and indeed winners from diverse backgrounds. What's the problem?
I have never heard of there being a riot when people talk about "blue-eyed soul" a term which has been around for decades. Can't get much more exclusive than that.