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MOBOs bask in Amy's spotlight

22nd September 2007

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They were supposed to be the king and queen of the MOBO Awards, but everything didn't quite go according to plan for 50 Cent and Amy Winehouse at last Wednesday's (19.09.07) ceremony.First, 50 abdicated by pulling out of the show, having already lost his crown as the king of hip-hop to Kanye West earlier in the week, and a good portion of his pride along with it.Having vowed to retire if his album 'Curtis' failed to outsell Kanye's 'Graduation', 50's no show at London's O2 arena, along with the cancellation of his European tour, briefly suggested he may be making good on his promise.However, with plenty more money to rake in and disappointing first week album sales to inject some life into, it was hardly a surprise when 50 announced the next day (20.09.07) that he would be touring eight UK venues, including the O2, in November.It won't be a victory parade however - adding insult to his severely injured ego, 50 also lost out to his chart nemesis Kanye in the Best Hip-Hop category at the prestigious awards, which recognise Music of Black Origin.Amy on the other hand, was present, but not necessarily correct. Making an early appearance on stage to perform her new single 'Tears Dry on Their Own', she seemed to forget the words in places and appeared distracted.The star - who had been nominated for four awards - did manage to redeem herself with an impressive rendition of 'Me and Mr. Jones', a track from her hit album 'Back to Black', proving she well deserved her Best UK Female award.

However, she once again appeared nervy and listless when mounting the stage to receive the gong from UK urban star Estelle, mumbling a barely audible "thanks", which was almost so hasty as to be impolite, before shoving the microphone back at the bewildered '1980' singer.

Despite her hit-and-miss performance and less than gracious response to being honoured, there was clear good will towards Amy from both the celebrity seats and the paying public.

Given her track record in recent times, perhaps they were just grateful she had turned up at all. UK fans as far apart as Liverpool and London can bitterly testify that her attendance is never guaranteed until she's on stage microphone in-hand.

It is clear that her obvious talent has created a deep well of sympathy for the 'Rehab' star over her recent troubles. She was comfortably the most eagerly anticipated act of the night among her fellow stars.

Shaggy, who was presenting the ceremony alongside R'n'B princess Jamelia, went as far as declaring she was the only fellow act he was looking forward to seeing.

He said: "I haven't seen her perform before and I love her style. She doesn't care about anything people say about her, and that's the way I am.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing her sing. I've never seen her before, and I've seen all the other performers worth watching."

In a slight kick in the teeth for the British urban scene, he admitted: "No, I haven't seen Kano or Craig David before, but I'm just looking forward to Amy."

Everyone from soapstars to Big Brother rejects were quick to express their barely contained excitement at Amy's presence. But, as Shaggy's co-host Jamelia pointed out when introducing her on stage, it is the 24-year-old singer's worrying behaviour, rather than her music, that has been "making more headlines than asylum seekers or hoodies recently".Last month, Amy was admitted to hospital after overdosing on a cocktail of drugs. She initially appeared to seek help, checking into Essex's Causeway clinic, but quickly decided to follow her hit song's famous refrain and declare "no, no, no" to rehab and checked out with husband Blake Fielder-Civil after just 48 hours.

It would appear she has not been scared into dampening her party-animal instincts. Amy reportedly demanded an ocean of alcohol for her candlelit dressing room at the O2 arena, including 48 bottles of Heineken lager, a large bottle of vodka, two bottles of "essential" Jack Daniels bourbon, and two bottles of expensive Veuve Clicquot champagne.

The other hot topic on the red carpet was 50 Cent. Brit rapper Kano offered the reasonable opinion that "You shouldn't pull out at the last minute unless you have a very good reason."

Rising US R'n'B star T-Pain admitted he didn't know if 50 was running scared after losing his chart battle with Kanye, but added: "I don't know 50 but I do know Kanye well, and I can tell you right now, he's certainly not upset about it.

"Really though, I think they're cool with each other, I think they're best friends."

He helpfully added: "I know 50 would win in a fist fight. He's been working out a lot and you'll never see Kanye near a gym."

Perhaps offering some much needed perspective on the whole debacle, former So Solid Crew star Lisa Mafia noted: "I think it's all a bit silly. I mean, come on 50, you've sold a few thousand less than Kanye, and your record sales are a few per cent down. Artists like me would kill for those kinds of figures. He's still going to sell millions of albums, so he really shouldn't worry."

The final word on the 'Candy Shop' rapper came from the crowd inside the O2 arena, who greeted his name with a chorus of boos when it was read out among the other Best Hip-Hop nominees.

Despite 50's no show, the crowd had every reason to be in good spirits. He may not have had a hit in the last four years, but Shaggy opened the ceremony in style, by successfully rewinding the clock back to his glory days with a medley of hits including 'Mr Bombastic', and 'It Wasn't Me', the latter with the help of R'n'B crooner Ric Roc.

And, except for the odd Amy glitch, the rest of the performers all gave good accounts of themselves.

UK hip-hop star Kano, described by former Public Enemy rapper Chuck D as the best British live hip-hop act that he has ever seen, lived up to that billing with his performance.

Joined on stage by Craig David for a flawless rendition of their new collaboration 'This Is the Girl', Kano followed it by rapping his way through new track 'London Town' in mercurial fashion.

Mutya Buena displayed an impressive ability to sing live, while Robin Thicke whipped many a lady into a frenzy by repeatedly grabbing his crotch as he sang his hit 'Lost Without U', which he later acknowledged has been responsible for "the conception of thousands of babies all over the world".

Having wowed everyone on the red carpet with his remarkable silver-capped teeth, T-Pain was without any shadow of a doubt the stand-out performer of the night.

The 22-year-old singer's US hit 'Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')' has already created a buzz in the UK and the response of the crowd was immediate. Earlier performers had seen the odd spot of spontaneous dancing break out here and there, but T-Pain made the crowd rise en masse to engage in a collective show of euphoria. Joined by three backing singers, he remained pitch perfect while embarking on an impressively energetic dance routine with his stage-fellows.

That's not to say the night belonged entirely to the outspoken star from Florida. That accolade would surely belong to his R'n'B rival Ne-Yo, who picked up two awards, and accepted them with the same style with which he eventually closed the show.

First, he beat Amy, Akon and Lemar to win in the Best R'n'B category, before beating Amy again when his hit 'Because of You' was preferred to 'Rehab' as Best Song.

In stark contrast to the troubled Brit, he displayed genuine gratitude when taking the stage to pick up his awards, thanking everyone from his manager to his mother, while reserving special mentions for "the fans who make it all possible" and "God".

He was not the only multiple winner. Kanye confirmed his recent ascendancy in the world of hip-hop by winning Best Video for 'Stronger' to go with his Best Hip-Hop award.

But Kanye wasn't present at the ceremony, and whereas his fellow global star Rihanna at least found time to record a video message to be played after her Best International Act victory, we didn't hear a single peep out of him.

Ne-Yo on the other hand was a presence throughout, and brought the ceremony to a slick close with a polished display of singing alongside dance moves that brought to mind his fellow R'n'B star Usher.

Ultimately though, nothing could really be done to quash the sense that this year's MOBOs were not really about the artists who were there. No, if we're being honest, the MOBO Awards 2007 were dominated by one star who failed to turn up at all, and another who, it would seem to appear, is not currently quite all there.

MOBO Awards 2007, full list of winners:

Best UK Female: Amy Winehouse

Best UK Male: Dizzee Rascal

Best International Act: Rihanna

Best Song: Ne-Yo, 'Because Of You'

Best UK Newcomer: N Dubz

Best Video: Kanye West, 'Stronger'

Best Hip-Hop: Kanye West

Best R'n'B: Ne-Yo

Best Reggae: Sean Kingston

Best Gospel: G-Force

Best DJ: Tim Westwood