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MOBO KINGZ: Krept and Konan

SOUTH LONDON duo Krept and Konan have landed a record four nominations at this year’s Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards.

The popular twosome, whose third independent mixtape Young Kingz shot to No.10 in the UK charts last year, lead the way alongside fellow Londoner Smith, with four nominations each.

Casyo “Krept” Johnson, 24, from Gipsy Hill and Karl “Konan” Wilson, 25, from Thornton Heath are up for best male act alongside Smith, Tinie Tempah, Fuse ODG and Ghetts.

They are also in the running for best album with Young Kingz. Their other nominations are for best song and best hip hop act.

Last year, Krept and Konan, who signed their first major record deal with Virgin EMI in October, bagged the best newcomer award at the annual ceremony, set up to celebrate the best and brightest new talent in the UK’s thriving urban music scene, alongside more established UK and international names.

“4 F*****G MOBO NOMINATIONS BEST ALBUM BEST SONG BEST MALE BEST HIP HOP,” they wrote on their Twitter account shortly after the nominations were announced.

UK rapper Tinie Tempah isn’t far behind with three prizes in total, including best hip-hop, best album and best male as are singer/songwriter FKA Twigs, and rappers Fuse ODG, Ghetts and Meridian Dan.

While London-born, US-based former Floetry star Marsha Ambrosius, who released her second studio album Friends and Lovers earlier this year, walked away with two nominations for best female and best R&B/soul.

Hollywood actor Idris Elba will be awarded the first MOBO inspiration award, which is given to an individual who has achieved success against the odds.

The ceremony will take place on October 22 and will be aired on the UK's biggest digital channel, ITV2, with a highlights show on ITV’s main channel.

Kanya King MBE, founder and driving force behind the MOBO movement, commented: "We are very excited that with our new broadcaster, the awards show will be receiving more support and attention than ever before. The new contract with ITV will help us celebrate the next generation of top talent, as the MOBOs continue to pioneer talent within urban music in the UK."

The first annual MOBO Awards ceremony in 1996 was organised in just six weeks and held at the New Connaught Rooms in London.