MOBO at 25

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1Xtra at the MOBOs: MOBO at 25: 3: Fuse ODG

3: Fuse ODG

BBC Radio 1Xtra - 1Xtra at the MOBOs, MOBO at 25, 3: Fuse ODG

Fuse ODG on what his wins meant for Afrobeats,

Fuse ODG won Best African Act three consecutive years and was the first UK-based artist to win the category,

While Afrobeats runs the streets and clubs today, that wasn’t always the case. While the MOBO Awards has had a Best African category since 2005, there was a shift a few years later. Young British Africans were exploring their heritage and that was reflected in the music. Fuse ODG was the first act to break the mainstream – both on the continent and in the UK. He won Best African Act three years in a row; 2013, 2014 and 2015.

But for Fuse the win was never just about his own career, but about shifting perceptions of Africa. He explains how and why he did it and reflects on the ripple effects of those decisions now, when artists like Krept & Konan collaborate with Wizkid, Burna Boy sells out arenas and artists with African heritage can reference it in their music.

1Xtra at the MOBOs: MOBO at 25

BBC Radio 1Xtra

The biggest tunes, talent and mixes in new Black music

DJ Ace explores the impact of the MOBOs through interviews with key musical figures.

DJ Ace explores the impact of the MOBOs through interviews with key musical figures from the last 25 years.

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MOBO at 25

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