With winter nights drawing in what better place to meet up for a girly chat than in a lovely coffee shop on the coast? The girly chat was with singer/songwriter, Yvonne Lyon, the coffee shop was her favourite place to write songs and you’d never have guessed we hadn’t met before this moment. 

However, with a lot in common including a love for hot chocolate we settled down to talk about the ABCs…Album, Burnsong and Charity work. Read more

I’d like to introduce you all to a website I’ve been a member of for two years now. It won’t appeal to everyone but I thought it was a great idea.

Singsnap.com is an online karaoke site.

It’s not JUST a karaoke website though. You can record a song and post it to allow anyone over the world to hear you. You can also sing live in chat rooms with other users. Read more

As you may, or may not, be aware – the MOBO Awards took place last night. I think I might have mentioned it previously but if I hadn’t, you should still have been aware – unless you’re not a fan of urban music, haven’t been near Glasgow recently, haven’t been online, read newspapers or magazines or watched TV.

A fantastic night was had by all (and when I say all I mean myself and my best friend). We sang, we danced, we laughed, we drooled over hot men, we almost cried and we drank some overpriced alcohol…what more could two girls ask for?

The atmosphere was electric as soon as we entered the hall, we had seats in the centre looking straight onto the stage and spent the time before the show trying to star spot (and failing miserably – even with my glasses on I couldn’t see very well).

The show kicked off with a fantastic performance from Tinchy Stryder with lots of green lasers. Other performers were N-Dubz; the show’s co-host Keri Hilson (with special appearance by Taio Cruz); Chipmunk and JLS.

The rumour I’d heard about Kelly Rowland performing with David Guetta proved to be true although I’d have to say I was a little disappointed with Kelly’s vocal performance which was apparently due to bad sound.

She tweeted after her performance: “I wanted you guys to be the 1st to hear it from me! Rehearsals were fine. Soundcheck was fine. Performance, was a struggle at 1st. HONESTLY, that just makes me work harder! But, what I will say is the MOBOs owe me an apology!!!! I was LIVID after the show!”

The highlight of the night was by far the Michael Jackson tribute. La Toya Jackson introduced Shaheen Jafargholi who sang “I’ll Be There” followed by a fantastic dance and acrobatic act from Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity and winding up with an emotional rendition of Michael’s favourite song “Smile” by his brother Jermaine.

Finally,  many of the UK’s hottest urban stars took to the stage as Young Soul Rebels to perform the song “I Got Soul” before the gold ticker tape fell from the ceiling signaling the end of the show.

The main point of the event, however, was the awards…and the winners were as follows:

Best UK Act & Best Album  – N-Dubz

Best Newcomer & Best Song – JLS

Best Hip-Hop – Chipmunk

Best R&B – Keri Hilson

Best Gospel – Victizzle

Best Jazz – YolanDa Brown

Best African Act – Nneka

Other winners not in attendence were:

Best International & Best Video – Beyonce

Best Reggae – Sean Paul

Best DJ – Trevor Nelson

(Click on thumbnails to view a larger photo)

Video clips from the show will be added soon, I have to edit them first to make them vaguely watchable so I hope they’ll be worth the wait.

I’m getting ready to go to the MOBO Awards – the first time in its 14 year history that the ceremony has been held outside of London – and they’ve decided to have it in Glasgow. Personally I’d have chosen somewhere better but I’m not going to complain because at least I get a chance to go along. I don’t think there’ll be any other complaints either as the event is estimated to generate around £3.5 million for the Scottish economy.

Rumours have been flying around like nobody’s business regarding the artists who will be performing and just this morning I heard that Kelly Rowland will be performing with David Guetta. I quite like the idea of not knowing exactly who will be on stage and I’ll report back after the show with who actually performed.

What I’m really looking forward to, however, is the Michael Jackson tribute with Jermaine and La Toya Jackson leading tributes to their brother.

The downside is that it seems to be a bit of an X Factor/Britain’s Got Talent show as Alexandra Burke, JLS, Diversity and Flawless will be performing. If that’s what’s big on the scene in Britain now, then that’s what they have to represent I guess.

For now I’ll leave you with a list of nominees. Check back tomorrow for an update of how successful the night was and a list of winners!

BEST UK ACT

Alesha Dixon / Bashy / Beverley Knight / Chipmunk / Dizzee Rascal / DJ Ironic / Donae’o / Mr. Hudson / N-Dubz / Tinchy Stryder

BEST UK NEWCOMER

Alexandra Burke / Jade Ewen / JLS / Laura Izibor / Master Shortie

BEST R&B / SOUL ACT

Beverley Knight / Ciara / Jeremih / Keri Hilson / Lemar

BEST HIP HOP ACT

Chipmunk / Dizzee Rascal / Drake / Eminem / Kanye West

BEST VIDEO

‘Bonkers’ – Dizzee Rascal / ‘Boy Does Nothing’ – Alesha Dixon / ‘Diamond Rings’ – Chipmunk ft. Emeli Sande / ‘Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)’ – Beyonce / ‘Supernova’ – Mr. Hudson ft. Kanye West

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

Akon / Beyonce / Ciara / Drake / Eminem / Jay Z / Kanye West / Keri Hilson / Lady Gaga / Mariah Carey

BEST SONG

‘Beat Again’ – JLS / ‘Diamond Rings’ – Chipmunk ft. Emeli Sande / ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ – K.I.G. Family / ‘Number One’ – Tinchy Stryder and N-Dubz / ‘Strong Again’ – N-Dubz

BEST ALBUM

’808s and Heartbreaks’ – Kanye West / ‘Catch 22′ – Tinchy Stryder / ‘Catch Me If You Can’ – Bashy / ‘I Am? Sasha Fierce’ – Beyonce / ‘Uncle B’ – N-Dubz

BEST REGGAE

Movado / Sean Paul / Serani / Tarrus Riley / Vybz Kartel

BEST JAZZ ACT

Diana Krall / Herbie Hancock / Madeleine Peyroux / Melody Gardot / Yolanda Brown

BEST AFRICAN ACT

Amadou and Mariam / Baaba Maal / Eidee / Femi Kuti / K’Naan / Lira / Mujava / Nneka / Oumou Sangare / Salif Kelta

BEST GOSPEL ACT

Desire to Worship God / Kiki Sheard / Mary Mary / New Direction / Crew

And if you can’t watch the show live at the SECC – tune in to BBC3 from 9pm for live coverage!