*Long criticized for favoring U.S. artists, the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards were held Wednesday night in London and saw an American artist earn the most statues of the evening.
Beyonce Knowles was not in attendance, which led to a smattering of boos during the three times her name was announced as a winner – for best international female, best song and best video for "Deja Vu," featuring Jay-Z.
Jay-Z also won for International Male, joining other American victors Sean Paul (Best Reggae), the Black Eyed Peas (Best Group) and Rihanna (Best R&B).
UK singer Corrine Bailey Rae, 27, earned two prizes – Best UK Female and Best U.K. Newcomer – for her single "Put Your Records On."
British rapper Akala, the 22-year-old younger brother of Ms. Dynamite – whose album, “It’s Not a Rumour” was released in May – took the best hip-hop prize in a category that included Busta Rhymes and Kanye West.
"I didn't expect this," Akala said. "I know the album did really well, but I was the least known in my category."
Meanwhile, jazz fans staged a protest outside of the ceremony held at London’s Royal Albert Hall because organizers have removed the genre as a category.
"The removal of the jazz category undermines the original spirit of the MOBO awards, and ignores the place of jazz in the heritage of black music and its influence on all other forms of popular music,” read a statement from the protesters led by trumpeter/vocalist Abram Wilson. “Despite several complaints from the jazz community, MOBO has failed to reinstate the award.”
Here is the full list of MOBO winners:
Best Group: Black Eyed Peas
Best U.K. Female: Corinne Bailey Rae
Best U.K. Male: Lemar
Best Song: Beyonce, "Deja Vu," featuring Jay-Z
Best International Female: Beyonce
Best International Male: Jay-Z
Best U.K. Newcomer: Corinne Bailey Rae
Best Hip-Hop: Akala
Best Reggae: Sean Paul
Best D.J.: Steve Sutherland
Best African Act: Batman Samini
Best Vide Beyonce, "Deja Vu," featuring Jay-Z
Best R&B: Rihanna
Best Gospel: Nu Life
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