Mobo Awards 2015: Krept & Konan front of pack with four nominations including best album

After storming the charts with their debut album The Long Way Home, UK grime act Krept & Konan have bagged four nominations at the 2015 Mobo awards. The Freak of the Week hitmakers are leading the way with nods in categories including best album, best male, best hip hop act and best song.

Competing with the South London pair is Boy Better Know label co-founder JME, who has also bagged an impressive four nominations: best album, best song, best male and best grime act in association with BBC Radio 1Xtra. Both acts will go head to head with Mark Ronson – who has enjoyed global success for Uptown Funk, his collaboration with Bruno Mars – for the best male honour.

Flying the flag for the ladies is Rita Ora, who is up for best music video for Body on Me, her racy collaboration with Chris Brown.

Speaking of the recognition, Casyo "Krept" Johnson said: "It means a lot to be nominated because I grew up watching the Mobos on TV. To get four nominations and lead this year's awards is crazy."

It has been a stellar year for the duo, who joined Kanye West on stage at the 2015 Brit Awards and also hit the studio with former One Direction pop star Zayn Malik. Speaking to the IBTimes UK's A-List back in June, Karl "Konan" Wilson, 25, revealed that their collaboration with Malik was simply a "muck around". "We've done a little cover with [Malik] and we shot a video but it just didn't end up coming out because it didn't get finished," he said.

The 2015 Mobo Awards is set to takes place at First Direct Arena, Leeds, on 4 November, and will be broadcast live on ITV2. Fans can vote for their favourite acts from 9am on 1 October. This year marks the 20 years of the event, which recognises artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music.

Sarah-Jane Crawford, who will host the ceremony, said: "This is one of the strongest nominees lists I've seen. That is testament to the artists themselves because you can't put a strong nominees list together if the music's not there, and this year the music has been there."

Best Male

Skepta

Mark Ronson

Krept & Konan

JME

Stormzy

Best Female

FKA Twigs

Little Simz

Ella Eyre

Lianna La Havas

Jess Glyne

Best Album

The Long Way Home - Krept & Konan

Integrity - JME

Blood - Lianne La Havas

Snakes & Ladders - Wiley

In Colour- Jamie XX

Best Song in Association with First Direct

Uptown Funk- Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Mars

Shutdown- Skepta

Not Letting Go - Tinie Tempah Feat. Jess Glynne

Man Don't Care - JME Feat. Giggs

Freak of the Week - Krept & Konan

Best Video

Know Me From - Stormzy

Pendulum - FKA Twigs

Body On Me - Rita Ora Feat. Chris Brown

Fester Skank- Lethal Bizzle

Glass & Patron- FKA Twigs

Best Newcomer in Association with Virgin Trains East Coast

Bugzy Malone

Section Boyz

Nao

Bonkaz

Nick Brewer

George The Poet

J Hus

Snakehips

Sinead Harnett

Yungen

Best International Album

If You're Reading This It's Too Late- Drake

2014 Forest Hill Drive - J. Cole

To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar

Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre - Dr. Dre

Beauty Behind The Madness - The Weeknd

Black Messiah - D'Angelo

Reality Show - Jazmine Sullivan

Ego Death - The Internet

Black Rose - Tyrese

At. Long. Last. ASAP- A$AP Rocky

Best Grime in Association with BBC Radio 1Xtra

Bugzy Malone

JME

Lethal Bizzle

Skepta

Stormzy

Best Hip Hop

Akala

Krept and Konan

Nines

Little Simz

Lady Leshurr

Best RNB/Soul Act

Kwabs

Andreya Triana

Shakka

Lianne La Havas

Joss Stone

Best African

Fuse ODG

Davido

Wizkid

Patoranking

Moelogo

Yemi Alade

Aka

Mista Silva

Shatta Wale

Silvastone

Best Reggae

Stylo G

Chronixx

Omi

Popcaan

Protoje

Best Jazz

Binker and Moses

Julia Biel

Courtney Pine

David Lyttle

Polar Bear

Best Gospel

Chos3n

Olaedo Ibe

Leroy Johnson

Ni-Cola

Faith Child