CEO Kanya King launched the MOBOS – the first awards show in Europe dedicated to celebrating urban music - in 1996. And with a reputation for obtaining the best homegrown acts for their yearly tour around the UK ever since, this year was no exception.
On Monday night, US R&B star Miguel took to the stage at North London's Kentish Town Forum much to the delight of the mostly female capacity crowd. Before he emerged, a strong lineup of homegrown supporting acts all had their own chances to shine, warming up the crowd with performances of varying quality. The queue outside tailed around the venue and onto surrounding streets, and anticipation was high for 26-year-old Miguel's first UK show.
After a few months break and a change of venue, live music night Soul-D-Out UK returned on Friday November 11 at the Blag Club in Kensal Rise, West London. Although Frank Ocean and J Cole were both in town on the same night, the intimate venue provided the new home for the return of Soul-D-Out Live; hosted by D'Nyce of the legendary Rampage Crew with soulful R&B and Hip Hop provided by DJs Martin 'Liberty' Larner, Chuckie and Butch Kassidy.
Things can only get higher for 21-year-old born and bred West-Londoner Cleo Sol, ready to leave a mark on the UK Scene following the release of her debut single "High" featuring Dancehall veteran Gappy Ranks in September. From the days of setting her sights on stardom at her local youth club mixing tracks to being tipped as one of the MOBO’s ‘One to Watch 2011,’ Cleo Sol sits down with SoulCulture to discuss is bring us some sun back onto the map with her new sound.