ML Hammer95

Yes, but 'Dun Talkin' was a huge underground hit - music that deserves recognition by award ceremonies like the MOBOs. It's got over 13 million views on YouTube for example and it's a song I've heard consistently throughout 2017. For black music, it has been one of the defining songs of the last twelve months. And like I've said, the MOBOs aren't there to reward the five biggest urban chart hits. Look at last years winner ('Robbery' by Abra Cadabra & Krept & Konan) and I guarantee only a handful of Buzzjack members have heard that song. I don't think the MOBOs can really be accused of gender bias either - the Best Newcomer award is full of female artists who could win that award (Mabel, Jorja Smith, Stefflon Don). Best Song is a narrow field and if it was as wide as other categories I guarantee female-led songs would have been shortlisted.

Still time to vote, very close as it stands!

I'm amazed that 'Location' never charted here, it seems the biggest Khalid song so far.

I actually can't stand Mr Brightside. Everytime it comes on during a night out (and it is every night) it's my cue to go to the bar or the toilet.

Man's Not Hot finally A-List!! Liking the adds for French Montana, GRM Daily, J Hus & Stormzy and also jokes they've added Chris & Kem. :lol: Shame Jorja Smith has already gone though.

I do think Finders Keepers could have been nominated, but maybe the Stefflon Don one hasn't been out long enough. I do think it would have been harsh to exclude any of the five nominated.

Finders Keepers could actually become a Top 10 hit! Probably the biggest sleeper hit from the UK this year, never thought it could do so well when I first heard it in March.

Suits me just fine! Great to see so many songs I wouldn't normally hear outside 1Xtra or at uni actually reflect that popularity in the charts.

The nominations for the 2017 MOBO Awards were announced this week, and leading up to the ceremony in November the R&B Forum will be running a series of polls to figure out who should be winning the awards! First up is Best Song, a heavily competitive category but I think this year they picked five very strong songs. The songs are as follows: J Hus - Did You See Kojo Funds ft. Abra Cadabra - Dun Talkin' Not3s - Addison Lee Stormzy - Big For Your Boots Yungen ft. Yxng Bane - Bestie I think maybe 'No Don' could have crept in, but apart from that I think they picked the strongest five. Addison Lee has been a huge underground anthem that has crossed over, Dun' Talkin is the underground hit of the year (and the chart hit that never was), while these nominated songs saw J Hus and Yungen achieve their first Top 10 hits and cemented Stormzy as a national treasure. I think Did You See should win overall, but don't rule out the impact of Addison Lee. What does everyone else think? dFOErVWlsxg3rk6_Ax0mQoCyfwmoGJzNE9UQoHSo9-IoICPp_1SDueM

Dlh-dzB2U4Y 10. LOTALTY. (6 Votes) 11. LOVE. 12. The Blacker The Berry On first glance, it might be a surprise to see a Kendrick/Rihanna collaboration out so early. However, I think the common consensus was that while this is a solid song it doesn't quite stand up in comparison with the rest of Kendrick's back catalogue. Personally, I think the video and the excitement of seeing Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna link-up overshadows a mediocre track. Props for the clever 24K Magic sample though! Next round closes midnight on Saturday so get voting!

Shaqiri and Xhaka for starters! Switzerland tend to be one of those teams people underrate or assume they are boring but they do have a very good team. Obviously their qualifying group was easy and they froze in the final game against Portugal but they are favourites against Northern Ireland for a reason. I do hope Northern Ireland get through though, Switzerland always get there and never do much.

Switzerland, Croatia, Italy should go through for me - they look to just have that edge in quality and experience. Denmark - Ireland too close to call.

I don't know what it is, but something about her rapping style makes me cringe a bit. It's a shame, I really liked 'Where Are You Now'.

Looks like it'll be a big hit before then!

Slide feels American though with both Frank Ocean and Migos on the track. :lol:

Bit of a return to form for MNEK isn't it? Sounds very fresh, especially the choir parts.

I think 'Did You See' has got to be up there, it has sold loads hasn't it? Not as much as an 'Unforgettable' but definitely not as far off as you're making out!

Rihanna has been the best at adapting to the current trend for dancehall-influenced urban with Work and Wild Thoughts being two of the biggest hits of recent years and I do think the Lemonade album would have done even better in the chart with Spotify backing. 'Sorry' had more impact than many of the Top 10's of 2016. I agree Stefflon Don will be huge - this time next year I reckon she'll be one of the biggest stars in UK music.

OXPE6HWUHS4 11. LOVE. - 5 votes 12. The Blacker The Berry As the single that hasn't even impacted radio yet, maybe not a surprise to see this out so soon. For what it's worth, I think this is perfect late night music that gets me deep in my feels! However, it doesn't (yet) stand up to the impact of other Kendrick singles. Next round closes on Wednesday evening, competition getting tighter now! If there is a tie when the poll closes, I will eliminate both songs.

Interesting how four songs in particular are standing out - Hurtin' Me, Bestie, Unforgettable and Wild Thoughts. The ones with the widest appeal perhaps? I think urban hits from the UK are still regarded as a novelty almost. It still feels like a big thing when a new UK artist breaks the Top 40.

I think I listen more to UK urban hits and champion them, but my three most played songs of the songs of the year have been American (Slide, Wild Thoughts, Passionfruit). I do think the UK is arguably more innovative, with Afrobeat and Dancehall dominating the streets as opposed to US trap.

'Slide' is my favourite song of the year and that has a maximal production. Or something like 'Big For Your Boots'.

The fact that these urban chart hits do sound 'underground' is something to be celebrated surely? It's much better than rappers were doing dance-pop songs with David Guetta.

Surprised that 'Questions' has been taken off already! Not too many long-runners on there anymore though. Good to see Giggs, AJ Tracey, Donae'o, Fekky and Lethal Bizzle added though - Let Me, My Size and Celebrate have been around a while already.

I think it's an exaggeration to say females are taking over urban music - I think only Beyoncé, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj are on the same level as the leading males of the genre. And the biggest names of the moment are still male (Drake, Skepta, Stormzy, Kendrick, J Hus, Future, Post Malone etc). However, I am pleased more females are getting success while making urban music. Stefflon Don was always someone who looked poised to crossover in a big way, while on the other hand it wouldn't surprise me if Cardi B was a one hit wonder. I'd add the likes of Jorja Smith, Ray BLK and RAYE as urban females who could have big success while sticking to making urban music. Also a shame that M.O. have seemingly collapsed because Dance On My Own, Preach and Who Do You Think Of? were all solid. It's when these artists try and make straight pop music that I switch off. On that note, I've heard Stefflon Don's next single features Skepta which is very promising. To answer the post, I wouldn't mind seeing more urban females crossover but only if they remember their roots. Songs like 'Hurtin Me' and 'Finders Keepers' are great at being both commercial and credible and that's the trick I think.