Music awards to recognise black Welsh artists

A new set of awards has been introduced to honor the contributions of black artists from Wales. These awards are called the Black Welsh Music Awards, and they aim to be similar to the Mobo Awards, which celebrate music of black origin. The Black Welsh Music Awards will recognize artists across various genres, including Afrobeats, grime, and reggae. Additionally, there will be a special category for the best Welsh language track. Benji Webbe, the lead singer of the band Skindred, expressed his excitement about these new awards. He is notably the only black Welsh artist to have won a Mobo award, having received the Best Alternative Act award in the 2024 ceremony. Many artists and organizers have described the new awards as 'long overdue,' highlighting the need for such recognition in the Welsh music scene. In a photo, Benji Webbe is seen in a vibrant outfit, featuring bright pink trousers and a white top with pink stripes. He is wearing a pink bucket hat and sunglasses, while the other members of his band are perched on a wall behind him, also sporting sunglasses. Benji believes that the Mobo Awards do not adequately celebrate Welsh talent. He suggested that there should be a Celtic category to better represent the music from Wales. He shared that winning the Mobo award opened doors for his band, leading to significant opportunities, including a performance at Wembley Arena. He stated, 'The prestige of winning the Mobo was lovely. After winning anything it gives you notoriety the world over and it does help you. ' Benji is thrilled to see the Black Welsh Music Awards come to life, but he emphasized the importance of executing the event properly. He remarked, 'Black Welsh music awards will help the community as long as [the organisers] do it well. ' He stressed the need to recognize artists who have been working diligently for years, even without a record deal. He wants the awards to celebrate all nominees, not just the winners, saying, 'Being nominated in the first place is a wonderful thing. ' Professor Uzo Iwobi CBE, one of the co-founders of the Black Welsh Music Awards, believes it is crucial to celebrate the unique landscape of black artists in Wales. She noted, 'We thought MOBO would filter down to Wales in the form of fringe events, exposure and raising of Welsh artists. That hasn't really happened. So we're growing our own organically. ' Professor Iwobi emphasized that the event is about representation, celebration, and legacy. She invited everyone to be part of this movement, stating, 'Our time is now. ' Ify Iwobi, another co-founder and a talented pianist, is also excited about the awards. She plays the keyboard and is passionate about supporting black artists. Molara Awen, a singer-songwriter known for her role in the Welsh language program Gogglebocs, described the awards as a 'very important initiative' for the music industry in Wales. She highlighted the rich history of black music, stating, 'Black music is as old as the origins of humankind, from the talking drum to the balafon, the kora to the orutu. ' Dionne Bennett, a singer and composer, added that the awards are not solely about accolades but also about building a supportive infrastructure for black artists. She said, 'It's about building an infrastructure. ' The first Black Welsh Music Awards are set to take place in October, and nominations are currently open for artists to be recognized.