BANKY W, P-SQUARE GET MOBO NODS

P-Square and Banky W
Some of Nigeria's most recognisable voices, Banky W, London-based JJC, and P-Square, have been nominated for this year's Music of Black Origin (MOBO) awards in the Best African Act category.

At the unveiling ceremony of nominees, which held at the May Fair Hotel, London, Wednesday evening, it was revealed that the Nigerian artistes would have Somalian, K'naan; Beninoise, Angelique Kidjo; South Africans, BLK JKS and Hip Hop Pantsula; Ghanaians, M3NSA, Tinny and Wanlov the Kubolor; and Angolan, Yuri Da Cunha to compete with for the coveted diadem.

Also nominated in the category are Staff Benda Bilili, Waldemar Bastos, Mulatu Astatke and Concha Buika from Congo DR, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea respectively.

Tu Face Idibia was the first Nigerian to win the MOBO, beating off stiff competition from D'banj in 2007.

9ice nicked it in 2008. For the Nigerian nominees, it is not a homerun yet because – like the international act category which has Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Drake among others as nominees – the list would be pruned to a final five before the awards proper, which takes place at the Liverpool Echo Arena on October 20.

Tinie Tempah leads the 2010 nominations with four awards, closely followed by Dizzee Rascal, who is of Nigerian descent; Professor Green, N-Dubz and Plan B, who all have three each.

In its 15th year, MOBO was established by Kanya King essentially to celebrate music of black origin.