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Special Mobo for Baroness Lawrence

Baroness Doreen Lawrence has picked up a special award at the 18th Mobos for the charitable trust set up in the name of her murdered son.

She collected a BeMobo award on behalf of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust during a ceremony at Scotland's newest entertainment venue The Hydro.

The award recognises people and organisations who "represent the Mobo values for forward thinking and are active in their communities".

Mobo founder Kanya King praised the trust as a "catalyst for change and solidarity" that did "phenomenal" work to support young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds.

Accepting the award, Baroness Lawrence said: "I like being in the background with all the work that I do but sometimes you have to stand up and say, yes, I salute you.

"It's been 20 years since my son was killed and in that 20 years we've managed to change laws, we have the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, we have helped over 100 students and we have now six of them who are qualified architects in this country and there are four out in Jamaica.

"As we move forward to the future part of our work is to continue and what we are trying to do is look to have access to the professions.

"The idea is that it doesn't matter what profession a young person wants to go into, the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust wants to be able to help them to achieve their goals and to take their place in society.

"Being here tonight and seeing all these artists here I think it's fantastic. The fact that Mobo is celebrating its 18th birthday is unbelievable and all I want to say is thanks very much."

Soul singer Laura Mvula won two gongs at the star-studded ceremony.

She picked up her first award of the night for best female act, beating off competition from Jessie J, Jessie Ware, Lianna La Havas and Rita Ora, and went on to win best R&B or soul artist.

The singer gave a live performance of songs from her debut Mercury Prize-nominated album Sing To The Moon.

Rapper Tinie Tempah opened the ceremony with a rendition of Trampoline and later won the gong for best UK hip hop or grime act, the second time he has bagged the award.

Wiley picked up the gong for best male act, his first ever Mobo, while Naughty Boy won best song and best video for La La La.

Rudimental were presented with the best album award during the Glasgow ceremony, hosted by BBC 1Xtra's Trevor Nelson and Sarah-Jane Crawford.

Iggy Azalea, Naughty Boy, Rudimental, Fuse ODG, AlunaGeorge, So Solid Crew, Ms Dynamite and Shy FX all took to the stage for live performances during the night.

The prize for best African act went to Fuse ODG, Sean Paul picked up the best reggae artist award and Krept and Konan won best newcomer.

Sons Of Kemet were named best jazz act and Lurine Cato won the gospel artist category.

Ms King said: " Mobo was born to celebrate the music we love and to support emerging talent and Mobo has become the soundtrack to our culture and our future.

"We hope to continue bringing you at least another 18 years of our tours, sessions and award ceremonies, and to keep celebrating all of the talented people out there, including all of those who have been on this stage tonight. Thank you for believing in us and supporting Mobo."

It was the third time the Mobo Awards have been held in Glasgow and the first time at the £125 million Hydro which opened with a series of Rod Stewart gigs less than a month ago.

Source: music.uk.msn.com
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