Sheffield is a city which is rich in music and artistry, though it often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves for this. However, the 2024 annual MOBO awards – honouring ‘Music of Black Origin’ – being held in the city for the first time has left a lasting legacy. What left a footprint were the events hosted in the lead-up to the official awards ceremony on 7 February.
As a means of celebrating the MOBOs and the city’s own black music and culture, Sheffield City Council collaborated with the MOBO association and community members to organise ‘MOBO Awards Sheffield – The Fringe’,
A Spotlight Fringe event was hosted at Sheffield City Memorial Hall, where a panel of industry representatives discussed the impact of the MOBOs and Black influence in the music industry.
Guest speakers such as Jaz Karis, MOBO nominee, and Zeze Mills, TV presenter and social media personality, inspired the community and particularly aspiring musicians, with a discussion about Black talent.
Showcasing Sheffield talent in The Fringe
Kent Roach, 63, saxophonist and musician from Sheffield, was among the panel of speakers and also performed as part of the Montuno funk and soul band. Confirming the importance of the MOBOs to a city with “such a rich heritage and tradition”, he said:
“For the MOBOs to come to Sheffield and act as a catalyst for all this energy, music and culture is something that I am very privileged and happy to contribute to.
“It means a huge amount to me because on the one hand we’ve got this fantastic celebration of music of Black origin and culture, but we’ve also got the real opportunity here to have a legacy.”
The Fringe also hosted a talent showcase in which some of Sheffield’s established and upcoming musicians performed at the Crucible Theatre. This featured talented artists such as songwriter and producer Aziza Jaye and hip-hop afro fusionist Franz Von.
The MOBOs: recognising excellence and inspiring future generations
The MOBOs’ impact reaches beyond music. The annual MOBO Paving the Way award, set up to inspire future generations of talent, is given to influential trailblazers who have achieved excellence not just in the field of music, but also entertainment, culture and sport. This year’s winner was sportswoman Jessica Ennis-Hill, in recognition of which she was awarded a paving stone plaque at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, where she used to train.
Steve Edwards, 56, singer-songwriter from Beauchief, said:
“It’s about legacy and about making sure that there’s a flame that still burns after the MOBOs has gone. Hopefully this will encourage the Black community and further communities that there is a place for them, that they can do something special and it can be seen.”
Edwards, two-time Grammy nominee, gave a motivational speech as part of the Fringe event, his career is a perfect example of the rich talent within Sheffield. He said:
“This is a real opportunity, the MOBOs is gonna bring a spotlight on the city and the people that live here as well.”
The cultural impact of the Sheffield MOBOs
The attendance of hundreds of people at another Fringe event held at the city centre’s Winter Garden highlighted the significance of the MOBOs’ impact. The community really came together with the MOBO association, with around 30 stalls set up and astounding performances from musicians.
The events were well promoted on social media and schools around Sheffield celebrated alongside the community with activities dedicated to music of Black origin. A highlight was provided by around 5,000 school children performing a cover of Blinded By Your Grace by Stormzy – a MOBO award winner. The council, alongside the city’s music hub, also held workshops which encouraged young people to get involved with recording artists.
The 2024 MOBOs raised welcome awareness of the diversity of culture in Sheffield. The highly enjoyable Fringe events successfully honoured the work of renowned local artists and provided a platform for upcoming talent, thus ensuring an ongoing cultural impact long after the event itself has passed.
