It will feature thousands of fans, international stars and a tribute to Michael Jackson featuring the late star’s brother and sister.
The Mobo awards are coming to Glasgow tonight – the first time the black music celebration is being held outside London.
The show has been criticised for failing to attract almost all of the best international act nominees – the field includes Beyonce and Mariah Carey – but organiser Kanya King says she is glad that the ceremony is in Glasgow.
Jermaine and La Toya Jackson remain the only household name stars who will be attending, while former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and singer-songwriter Keri Hilson are also flying in from the States.
However, chart-topping British acts JLS and N-Dubz will be there.
“I am absolutely exhilarated to be here. It’s fantastic,” said King. “Glasgow is full of great music. Glasgow is sexy. We have got all the coolest stars coming here. There is real passion for music here.
“We can’t believe how excited people are about coming. We are getting hundreds of calls from people who’ve left it to the last minute – we’ve got artists saying ‘can we just turn up?’”
The highlight of tonight’s show is likely to be a tribute to Michael Jackson.
His brother Jermaine will sing Smile – Michael’s favorite song, and will be joined by Shaheen Jafargholi – the 12-year-old Britain’s Got Talent finalist plucked to perform at the star’s LA memorial. The talent show’s eventual winners, dance troupe Diversity, will also perform.
King said: “What we’ve got to realise is most of the British acts are stars. They are the ones selling albums and outselling a lot of the international stars. Let’s not underestimate them.”
Organisers have made an effort to give the event a special Scottish twist.
King and awards host Reggie Yates, a Radio 1 DJ, will be wearing tweed creations by Glasgow School of Art graduate Deryck Walker, and performers will include Glasgow Gospel Choir and local breakdancers.
Although there is only one Scottish nominee, Glasgow medical student Emilie Sande, who co-wrote the song Diamond Rings with rapper Chipmunk, the Mobo team is keen to encourage Scottish urban talent.
King yesterday attended an event at The Hub at Glasgow’s Pacific Quay that saw representatives from businesses and colleges discuss how to help the next generation of music stars get their careers of the ground.
