Last night's MOBO awards went off with an underwhelming bang. Yet again, the celebration of 'music of black origin', demonstrated how the UK urban music industry struggles in the shadow of its US counterpart. The last minute cancellation of this year's American guest-of-honour, 50 Cent, lent a decidedly deflated air to the proceedings. The gongs were dished out by ex-Grange Hill stars, and some of the UK winners couldn't be bothered to provide a video acceptance speech, let alone turn up. Even Amy Winehouse's performance seemed a bit half-arsed, which left attendees looking elsewhere for entertainment. Never the shrinking violet, it was left to Tim Westwood to provide the evening's fireworks. Clearly riled at the chorus of unwarranted boos that greeted the announcement of his Best DJ award, he advised the assembled gaggle of 'haters' that, 'anyone who doesn't like it, can suck it!' only to be met with yet more jeers...
It's far from the first time that the Suffolk-born DJ, who is the son of a Bishop, has been 'dissed' by his urban music peers, but last night seemed the final straw for Westwood himself. And he has a point. His accent and lifestyle may be far removed from that of your average 50-year-old Lowerstoftian, and his pantomime hip hop patter never fails to raise a smile, but anyone who knows their UK hip hop history will tell you Westwood has been there grafting and championing the UK scene, as well as managing its sometimes tricky relationship with the US, pretty much since day one.
No other figure in UK urban music has managed anything like the longetivity or profile that Westwood has, and in terms of prestige, star quality, and pure entertainment, his radio show is heads-and-shoulders above any of his peers. He pioneered hip hop on these shores when it was still in its budding form in the early Eighties, and has kept wholeheartedly abreast of the genre's latest developments and offshoots, always representing the newest UK styles, while commanding unparalleled respect from the biggest US stars.
Admittedly, the self-proclaimed 'Big Dog' doesn't always make it easy for himself. His performance at this month's Bestival was perhaps not his finest hour. But the thought of UK urban scene without him doesn't bare thinking about. Who then would 'drop the bomb'?
So, anyone sneering at Westwood's third consecutive 'Best DJ' MOBO gong, should stop and reconsider the man's achievements. It'd be nice to see Tim getting a reception similar to that afforded to that another white UK urban star, David Rodigan. In the wise words of the man himself, 'fall back!'
