MOBO Awards 2024 honours Stormzy as local children record one of his hit songs
A host of school children from the city of Sheffield recorded Stormzy's song Blinded By Your Grace to welcome the MOBOs to the city for the first time.
The 26th MOBOs was held at the Utility Arena in Sheffield and UK artists including Little Simz and Stormzy lead the way on the nominations list of the annual event - that recognises and celebrates black music and culture. More than 70 schools across Sheffield were involved in celebration, which saw 5,000 children performing Stormzy’s classic hit, Blinded By Your Grace. The video was put together from 145 separate performances and featured eight young rappers who have re-written the rap section of the song with a distinct Sheffield take on things.
More than 5,000 recorded Stormzy's song to welcome the MOBOs to Sheffield for the first time (YouTube/ @Sheffield Music Hub)The video was launched by Sheffield Music Hub and Sheffield City Council, who run bespoke workshops with Sheffield-based recording artists for young people who are not currently engaged with education. This is an initiative the council described as a “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of them."
Martin Smith, chair of the council’s Economic Skills and Development Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “It is brilliant to see our local schools getting involved in the action ahead of the Mobo Awards coming to Sheffield. They’ve been exploring the impact of black music and culture through a range of educational activities, and this has already proven to have a really positive effect on our young people, giving them a platform and an opportunity to be involved in this milestone event for the city."
He added: "The cover of Blinded By Your Grace, by Mobo Award nominee Stormzy, is an incredible example of how Sheffield kids have come together to celebrate. It’s a powerful and impactful video and represents exactly what it means to Sheffield to have the Mobo Awards with us.”
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Mobo Awards founder and CEO Kanya King said: “Witnessing the extraordinary celebration in Sheffield, including the build-up to the first of its kind Mobo Awards Sheffield – The Fringe, for our 26th edition is truly heartening.The collaborative effort between Sheffield City Council and Mobo has been game-changing."
She added: "For Mobo, social purpose is in our DNA. Collaborating on a local level puts us in touch with local communities, allowing the Mobo Awards to enrich the local city both culturally and economically, highlighting and celebrating black music and culture across the city across all ages and boundaries."
Kanya continued: This project truly encapsulates the transformative, unifying power of music in a community, making a difference and giving a "voice to young people from all kinds of backgrounds. This brilliant initiative exemplifies the spirit of both the Mobo Awards and the vibrant city itself.” This year's award show was hosted by comedian, actor and podcaster Babatunde Aleshe and former Love Island star, Indiyah Polack. Byron Messia, DJ Spoony and Soul II Soul performed at the annual event.
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