Sam Smith at the Mobo Awards 2014 held at the SSE Arena in Wembley, London. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA WireChart-topping soul singer Sam Smith dedicated his triumph to his parents after celebrating being the big winner at the Mobo Awards.
The 22-year-old, who has had huge success since landing the Critics’ Choice prize at the Brit Awards earlier this year, collected four prizes at the annual bash, including best album for his debut record In The Lonely Hour, and the best male title ahead of figures including Tinie Tempah.
He also picked up the award for best R&B/soul act and song title for Stay With Me at the event staged at the SSE Wembley Arena in north London − only hours after being named best newcomer at the Q Awards earlier in the day.
“It’s been an incredible year,” he said on stage as he collected his last award for best album. “This is truly a dream come true. Mum and dad, this is for you.”
Smith took a selfie with the show’s hosts Mel B and Sarah-Jane Crawford and rapper Eve, who presented him with his prize.
Jessie J − who released her third album Sweet Talker this month − was named best female, while Beyoncé was honoured with the best international act title.
The actor and DJ Idris Elba, whose roles have included his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in last year’s Long Walk to Freedom, was handed the ‘inspiration’ award.
The ceremony, now in its 19th year, has returned to London after a five-year hiatus
Jessie J kicked off the show, shown live on ITV2, with a medley of her hits Bang Bang and Burning Up, with other performers including Nicole Scherzinger, Professor Green with Tori Kelly, Tinie Tempah and Candi Staton, who performed her hit You Got The Love with Little Symz.
The ceremony, now in its 19th year, has returned to London after a five-year hiatus.
Smith said backstage: “It’s surreal. I came last year and really wanted to win best newcomer but didn’t and to come back and win four awards is ridiculous. I am overwhelmed.”
He joked: “I don’t know what to do with my awards. I need to get a cabinet.”
Smith added: “I never won any awards at school so this is really surreal to win five in one day.”
Ella Eyre received the best newcomer prize, beating Jess Glynne, FKA Twigs and MNEK, among others.
“It’s been a mind-blowing year,” she said. “I’ve won a Mobo award on the first awards I’ve ever been to and to win an award on my own merit is unbelievable.”
Rapper Skepta, 32, whose music video for That’s Not Me won best video, admitted the win came out of the blue.
“I was very surprised. Half an hour before the Mobos, I found out I got tickets,” he said.
His winning video − which beat Rudimental, was made with a budget of £80. “There were £40,000 videos in this category and mine cost under £100 to make,” he said.
“It shows that you just need the right energy and not loads of money.”
Full list of Mobo Award winners
Best African: Fuse ODG
Best reggae: Stylo G
Best hip hop: Krept and Konan
Best R&B/soul: Sam Smith
Best gospel: Living Faith Connection Choir
Best jazz: Zara McFarlane
Best grime act: Stormzy
Best newcomer: Ella Eyre
Best male: Sam Smith
Best female: Jessie J
Best international: Beyoncé
Best video: Skepta
Best song: Sam Smith, Stay With Me
Best album: Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour
Best inspiration: Idris Elba