One local artist has created a space to recognise and celebrate the music and culture of black Welsh musicians. Dubbed the ‘Welsh MOBO Awards’, how will the event in October shape the future of Welsh black music?
Since a young age the Welsh Nigerian born musician Ify Iwobi was drawn to the piano that would foreshadow her career in both classical and contemporary music.
The Swansea-born’s talents have allowed her to grace renowned stages across Wales, London, Nigeria, and America, and the first Welsh Nigerian musician to have nine consecutive A List song on BBC Radio Wales.
Now Ify turns her efforts to make a greater impact for Welsh Black music and artists. “We deserve a stage. We deserve a platform our music is incredible,” she said.
“It’s just important to recognise the contributions that black artist do to the world of music. Black music is really influential and sometimes under looked here Wales.”
Working with her mother, Professor Uzo Iwobi CBE, also the founder and creator of Race Council Cymru, will launch the first ever Black Welsh Music Awards in October to celebrating and recognising black Welsh artist contributions in music.
The idea is to have an award show in Wales recognising Welsh talent in response to the many young musicians who say there is not coverage or outlets to recognise their work and artistry in Wales.
“They were expressing their serious frustrations at the lack of recognition of their own talent and their own creative energy,’ said Uzo Iwobi.
“There is nothing in Wales, and a lot of black musicians are leaving Wales to live in England because they think they are going to get a break in London, but not here.”
Newport’s Pillgwenlly carnival back in the early 80’s was one of the earliest opportunities for local Welsh black musicians to showcase their music that attracted crowds from all over the UK.
“I believe that the story of music as part of Wales and its consciousness and its creative efforts and energy cannot be fully told without the stories of the black Welsh creatives,” said Iwobi.
“Music of black origin is largely silent and missing, I think we need to correct this. It doesn’t benefit Wales to keep this hidden in plain sight. For me, it is hidden in plain sight, we all go to the clubs and pubs, and we are dancing to popping afrobeat music, DJs are playing it, and nobody wants to recognise it when we do awards.”
Reggae metal band Skindred member Benji Webb is delighted for Wales to have its own black Music awards, him being the only black Welsh artist to win a MOBO, winning Best Alternative Act in the 2024 ceremony.
Webbe said he felt the MOBs, which started in 1996, do not go far enough to celebrate Welsh talent and that the even in October to recognise Welsh black artists was as “long overdue”.
Despite his excitement to see this happen in his own country, he stressed how this must be done right.
“Black Welsh music awards will help the community as long as [the organisers] do it well,” said Webbe.
“They need to make sure they do their research to find out who’s been grafting without a record deal for the last 20 years.
“It has to be about the small guys, not a ‘luvvie’ event with lots of people patting each other on the back.
“Everyone nominated needs to be celebrated, not just those who win. Being nominated in the first place is a wonderful thing.”
Next year, the MOBO Awards will celebrate its 30th years since it started with only two Welsh acts ever to take home an award the other Cardiff grime artist Razkid.
“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,” said Iwobi.
“Our Wales-based MOBO musicians are making history and we’re inviting everyone to be part of it. Our time is now.”