The nominations have been revealed for this year’s MOBO Awards, and bookies have backed Dizzee Rascal as their hot favourtite to scoop the gong for best hip-hop act at this years ceremony.

A spokesman at bookmakers Paddy Power said, “It looks like this could be Tinchy Stryder’s year with punters tipping him for success in three major categories”.
 
“The Mobo Awards has gone mainstream, nominating acts from The X Factor an the Eurovision Song Contest in the best newcomer category,” reports The Telegraph.

Alexandra Burke, winner of The X Factor last year, will go head-to-head with runners-up JLS and the UK’s Eurovision hopeful Jade Ewen.

JLS recently went to number one with their debut single, Beat Again, and it is among the nominations for best song.

Beyonce, Kanye West, Jay Z and Mariah Carey are nominated in the international categories, along with Eminem and Lady Gaga.

Artists Tinchy Stryder, Dizzee Rascal, N-Dubz and Chipmunk lead the shortlist and former Strictly Come Dancing winner Alesha Dixon is up for Best UK act along stars including R’n'B singer Beverley Knight and rapper Bashy.

The late R&B singer Aaliyah will be honoured at the MOBO’s eight years after her death. Organisers will pay tribute to the Try Again star, who died in a plane crash on 25 August 2001.A spokesperson for the Mobos says,

 ”Always humble and down to earth, what made the world fall in love with Aaliyah was that she never let the fame get to her. It can definitely be said that Aaliyah paved the way for the Ciaras and Keri Hilsons of this world. Aaliyah, we miss you.”

Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine will also be in Scotland to take part in a major tribute to the late king of Pop.

Mobo founder Kanya King MBE said: “It will be a phenomenal tribute. The older generation, the younger generation have all been influenced by him. I think it’s right we should pay proper tribute to him.

“We are going to put on the best show ever. It will take Mobo to the global stage.”

The event which takes place in Glasgow on September 30 2009 is expected to reach an estimated 250 million viewers in 60 countries.

To find out more, check out the MOBO Awards channel and exclusive interviews here on t5m.

Who will you be backing to win big at this years MOBO’s?