Liquideep, Mafikizolo, Spoek Mathambo up for MOBO Award

These artists are in the running for the Best African Act award, alongside fellow Africans Atumpan and Fuse ODG from Ghana, Bombino from the Republic of Niger, and Nigerians Ice Prince, Tiwa Savage, and Seun Kuti. With voting now open, the public can support their favourite musicians via the official website.

Liquideep are a soul house duo from Johannesburg. Formed in 2007 and comprised of Ziyon (vocalist/songwriter/producer) and Ryzor (DJ/producer), Liquideep has enjoyed chart-topping success with numerous of their singles and albums. Their latest album, ‘Welcome Aboard’, was released this year.

Long-standing South African kwaito group Mafikizolo started in the 1990s. Initially a trio, tragedy struck for the band in 2004 when singer Tebogo Madingoane was shot and killed during an unfortunate accident. Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza continued to perform as a duo but decided to take a break in 2008 before making a comeback in 2012 with the release of an album called ‘Reunited’.

A vocalist and producer from Johannesburg, Spoek Mathambo has fronted electro-rap acts Sweat X and Playdoe, and was also part of Afro-beat group Mshini Wam. He, however, embarked on a successful solo career with the release of his 2012 album ‘Father Creeper’.

2013 sees the 18th anniversary of the Mobo Awards, which will take place at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday, 19 October.

The awards ceremony will be aired on BBC3, repeated on BBC1, and broadcast worldwide via BBC World News.

– TEAMtalk Media