The 14th Mobo awards [in Glasgow], which celebrate artists of any race or nationality who perform black music, features many groups and individuals who have been part of reality TV shows such as The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. Reality TV performers such as JLS, Shaheen Jafargholi and Flawless have all been nominated. But even though US music titans including Jay-Z, Eminem, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga are all up for awards, they will not be attending or performing.

It was a very different story four years ago. At the 2005 Mobo awards when some of America's biggest stars turned up to perform, Grammy award winner John Legend, Public Enemy and Lauryn Hill made the ceremony one of the biggest nights since the Mobo awards began in 1996.

"The real problem is getting the stars to go to Glasgow. I can understand why the Mobos went to Glasgow – because they were having problems getting the council to foot the bill for security. But it simply doesn't work. Glasgow just isn't sexy and it's a very white city. Even Leeds, Cardiff or Birmingham would have made more sense. It's not a big draw for US artists. They've really struggled to get the big stars. Ask any American artist where Scotland is and they'd probably struggle."

"The main thing that is coming out of these awards is the real strength of the British scene at the moment. Actually, we don't need the international artists any more because the scene is strong enough. We've got all these artists selling number one records at the moment and they're British.

"It's a great sign of where we've come in that time and how it affects the music industry. Some of the British artists are actually adopting the American model now as they're becoming brands in their own right as well as artists."

"It's great news for Glasgow or any town that gets a major event, because first and foremost, the MOBOs is a major event…

But unfortunately for Glasgow there will be no major stars there...

Obviously I don't want to cause offence to anyone in Scotland and in Glasgow particularly, where I've had many a good time, but Glasgow quite simply is not a multicultural city, it's a very white city. It has a steady little Asian community.

(But) I was in Glasgow two months ago I was playing spot the black person there, it is not a multicultural town, and for an event which is initially a black event with a complete multicultural umbrella it really belongs in a multicultural town, we're talking Cardiff here, we're talking Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool."

Mobo Awards
Live event/outside broadcast
Wednesday 30 September
9.00-11.00pm BBC THREE

Reggie Yates hosts BBC Three's coverage of the 2009 Mobo Awards, live from Glasgow's SECC.

For the first time, the Mobo Awards are being held in Glasgow and some of the world's biggest stars descend on the Scottish city for a stellar evening, which includes performances from Chipmunk featuring Flawless, JLS, Diversity and Jermaine Jackson. There is also a tribute to Michael Jackson.

This year, Tinchy Stryder, Dizzee Rascal, N-Dubz and Chipmunk are the most nominated artists, reflecting their domination of the UK's singles chart. Other nominees include Alesha Dixon, JLS, Eminem and Beyoncé.

Launched in 1996 by founder and CEO Kanya King, the Mobo Awards were the first Awards show in Europe to celebrate urban music.

There is also extensive radio coverage of the Awards on BBC 1Xtra today with Tim Westwood (4-7pm) and Mistajam (7-10pm) bringing all the behind-the-scenes action and news.

Highlights of the Mobo Awards can be seen on Friday on BBC One.

LW

Paul McKenzie, former Mobo panellist and former editor of Touch magazine, said about the move from London to Glasgow:
QUOTE
"<cut> Glasgow just isn't sexy and it's a very white city <cut>".

<cut>
Now, what would have been made of this news worthy item if the word 'white' had been substituted for 'black' or dare I mention 'muslim' 'enough'? I think a lot more.<cut>

As for Glasgow being too white, well thank God for that.

I think too, your meaning would require a definition of "modern English usage".

"I heard him [Mr McKenzie] on the radio and I think he’s misinformed. Glasgow is a multicultural city as much as anywhere else.

The Mobo awards have grown so much they’re not just about black music for black people. The music that is celebrated at the awards is doing so well in the charts at the moment and the people that are buying it to get it to number one are from all races and walks of life.

I think it might have been a bit of London media speak, not wanting to move from London. Everyone you speak to on the streets know about the event and are excited that these big names are coming to their city.

The economic benefit is in excess of £1 million for Glasgow but it will show organisers of other events what we can do. Hopefully it will attract lots more interest with events like the Brits in the future. This is the first major London based music event that has ever moved. I guess it is a heap leap of faith for both sides.

It is an event that both Glasgow and Scotland have taken to their hearts. It was a fresh look for the event which has been in London for the last few years now. They have moved around in the capital and I guess they were probably quite surprised what we have managed to put on the ground for them.

The welcome that both we and the public have given them has been incredible and I don’t think anyone expected it to be so well received."