The 6th annual Urban Music Awards took place at the IndigO2 on the 15th of November 2008.The much anticipated event kicked off in the heart of London’s IndigO2. The red carpet was filled with celebrities from the world of music, fashion, television who all came out in force to support the Urban Music Awards UK. From Bobby Davro, Ms. Dynamite, Mica Paris, Gary Lucy, Sway, Shaznay Lewis, Kele le Roc, Angelica Bell, Bianca Gascoigne, Roll Deep, Amanda Mealing, Melvin& Rickie, cast from hit Channel 4 TV show, Hollyoaks and more. The VIP room was heaving with many guests lining up to join in the celebrations.
Scores of people, queued eagerly at the red carpet to catch a glimpse of the many acts that had contributed to our vibrant urban music scene of 2008, not even the cold weather could deter the loyal audience, who kept warm spirits with jovial laughter. After the brief craziness of getting everyone seated on their prospective tables was over. The show started with an outstanding performance from Baby Bliss Allstars, and then host Naomi Millbank Smith opened the show by introducing MP, George Galloway and Hollyoaks actress Ciara Johnson to present the nominees for Best Magazine, with winner Young Voices collecting the category for the second time in a row!! MP George Galloway commented “This is one of my favourite events and it’s the 2nd year i am presenting”. He went on to congratulate Barack Obama and called for young people of all races to come together and start making positive moves.
Stage performers
With performances including H2O ft Platinum performing their smash hit ‘what’s it gonna be’ it was time for the comedians to take their turn on stage, one after one. From the old school we had Bobby Davro, who got the crowd going absolutely crazy with laughter and from the new skool, who can ever forget the comic dances and bursts out from comedian Eddie K. This was all rounded up by a spectacular, Richard Blackwood who stepped on stage and finished a round of comedy knock out punches, before he got back to presenting the Best Neo Soul Act category with the gorgeous Aislyene to Amy Winehouse. Amy’s award was accepted by her close pal Aislyene with a message “A special thanks to the Urban Music Awards and all the fans for voting for me”. The Adulthood cast (Adam Deacon, Femi, & Snakeyman) took the stage to present the Best HipHop Act 2008 to Sway who gave one of the most powerful performances of the night featuring Lady Stush!!! Then we saw some of the performances from the biggest stars in club land, with stand out act, Crazy Cousins performing ‘Do you mind’ and ‘Bongos’ which is out this month.
With several awards going out, and performances from, Prince Diamond ft. New Invincible recording artiste Q, Wideboys ft Shaznay Lewis performing Daddy O, and a spectacular marathon performance from DJ Luck & MC Neat going through a series of classic hits that earned them the Outstanding Achievement Award. It was all geared on being the most successful Urban Music Awards yet!! After 2 hours, before the final hour of the show , the final part of nominee announcement and show recording was suspended due to a separate incident which had northing to do with the UMA’s simply a few minority who decided to take it upon themselves to try and ruin what was turning out as one of the best ever UMA’s. In response to this, the production team decided to announce the next row of winners this week. Filming of winners of the other categories will take place through out Friday, the 21st of November 2008 at the UMA Academy in London. Be sure to catch both filming and the broadcast of the 6th annual Urban Music Awards 2008 on Flava TV, Sky channel 367 on the 26th of November 2008, repeated for three weeks thereafter!
You will also be able to finally catch the most anticipated announcement of the winner of Britain’s Next Urban Superstar 2008.
Special Thanks to all our sponsors, Foot Locker, Jamster, Amarula, Faith Shoes, Avit, Missbutterfly.co.uk, and to all the dedicated supporters of the UMA’s.
Here is a full list of winners at this year’s 6th annual Urban Music Awards 2008:
Best Jazz Act
Adele
Best Collaboration
Estelle ft Kanye West ‘America Boy’
Best Album 2008
Leona Lewis ‘Spirit’
Best Crossover Chart Act
Booty Luv
Best Dance Act
Wideboys
Best DJ
Mista Jam
Best Entrepreneur 2008
Lethal Bizzle (Lethal Bizzle Records)
Best Gospel Act
29th Chapter
Best Group
Roll Deep
Best HipHop Act
Sway
Best Independent Label
Boy Better Know
Best Magazine
Young Voices
Best Music Video
Tinchy Stryder ‘Stryderman’
Best Newcomer
Chipmunk
Best Producer
Fraser T Smith
Best R&B Act
Leona Lewis
Best Radio Station
Choice FM
Best TV Show/Film
Nokia Green Room (Channel 4)
Best UK Radio DJ
Rickie and Melvin (Kiss 100fm)
Best Website
Myspace.com/thehookup
Most Inspiring Act 2008
Bashy
Outstanding Achievement Award 2008
Mica Paris
Outstanding Achievement Award 2008
DJ Luck & MC Neat
Lifetime Achievement Award
Finley Quaye
