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Leona Lewis and Estelle toast MOBO success
10/16/2008 5:00 PM, Reuters
British singers Leona Lewis and Estelle dominated the annual MOBO awards, picking up two prizes each in a golden night for home-grown music. Estelle's was named best UK female act and she won the best single award for "American Boy," a worldwide hit recorded with U.S. rapper Kanye West. Lewis, who shot to fame after winning "The X Factor" talent search TV series, took the best album prize for "Spirit" and best video for her top-selling ballad "Bleeding Love." She was booed during a video acceptance speech when she apologized for not being able to attend the ceremony, hosted by former Spice Girl Mel B and Run DMC founder Rev Run. "I'm there in spirit with you all," Lewis told the crowd at Wembley Arena, northwest London, on Wednesday. The UK male award went to London rapper Dizzee Rascal, while American R&B singer Chris Brown won the best international act and best R&B/soul prizes. Other winners included saxophonist YolanDa Brown (jazz act); Jamaican singer Mavado (reggae act); London rapper Chipmunk (UK newcomer) and BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood (club DJ). The MOBOs were first held in 1996 to celebrate the best music of black origin. (Reporting by Peter Griffiths; editing by Steve Addison and Paul Casciato)
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