Buju Banton thanks supporters after MOBO win
Published:Friday | December 11, 2020 | 12:13 AM
Grammy and Jamaica Festival Song Competition winner, Buju Banton, walked away with the MOBO Award for Best Reggae Artiste at the virtual ceremony held on Wednesday.
In showing appreciation for his first MOBO (Music of Black Origin) win, Buju stated, “I thank the @moboawards committee, but most of all I thank everyone who has supported me and continues to support me. Let’s continue to allow music to do its job as the great healer, teacher, comforter and above all the restorative force that propels human beings to higher heights.”
This year’s nominees also included multiple MOBO winner Popcaan; Grammy Award-winning artiste Koffee; Grammy nominee Protoje, and Lila Iké.
The Reggae category has taken on more meaning since its early days when the winners for the first three years were Peter Hunningale, Scottish musician Finley Quaye, and Glamma Kid, respectively. Mr Vegas broke through in 1999 and set a trend which has seen acts such as Sean Paul, Gyptian, Damian Marley, Popcaan, Stylo G and Alborosie named winners in subsequent years.
MOBO founder Kanya King told The Gleaner that it has been “really wonderful to see this generation of reggae artistes such as Koffee, Protoje and Popcaan make incredible impact on the contemporary landscape, while also honouring a veteran like Buju Banton whose influence continues to transcend generations and cultures”.
Three Jamaican artistes Koffee, Popcaan and Shenseea, were also nominated in the Best International Act category. However, Nigerian vocalist and songwriter known for reggae and dancehall albums as LIFE, Burna Boy, copped the award.
The MOBOs came off a two-year hiatus to celebrate in a pandemic year and lift the spirits.
Started in 1996, it is one of Europe’s biggest music award ceremonies, and perhaps the most important and influential event for music makers and fans. Celebrating excellence in music for more than 20 years, MOBO is the premier outlet for recognising and honouring the artistic and technical achievements of exceptional British and international talent in the musical fields of hip-hop, grime, R&B/soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and African music.