Breaking the tradition of British R&B stars playing second fiddle to their US counterparts, Estelle and Leona Lewis last night capped a successful year by dominating the Mobo awards.
Estelle was named best UK female ahead of Duffy, Adele, Lewis and MIA. The best song prize went to her hit American Boy, a No 1 in the UK and her first top 10 hit in the US.
Lewis, the X Factor winner who is the show's most successful find to date, confirmed her stellar rise with awards for best album and best video.
Critics have complained that the Mobo awards has at times served only to highlight the gulf between American R&B and hip-hop stars and British artists. But this year's crop of winners have been hailed as representing a breakthrough for urban music in the UK.
Dizzee Rascal, who had his biggest commercial success to date this summer with the Calvin Harris collaboration, Dance Wiv Me, won best UK male for the second year running at last night's ceremony at London's Wembley Arena.
Ricky McCalla, a 26-year-old former dancer who had appeared at three Mobo ceremonies, got the BeMobo award for services to his community.
After being shot in the neck during a carjacking incident he had to give up dancing, but he has since mentored more than 300 young people in south London through his Frosted Ice organisation.
Winners
Best UK female Estelle
Best UK male Dizzee Rascal
Best UK newcomer Chipmunk
Best international act Chris Brown
Best reggae act Mavado
Best jazz act YolanDa Brown
Best gospel act Jahaziel
Best African act 9ice
Best song American Boy/Estelle
Best R&B/soul act Chris Brown
Best hip-hop act Lil' Wayne
Best video Bleeding Love/Leona Lewis
Best album Spirit/Leona Lewis
Best radio DJ Trevor Nelson
Best club DJ Tim Westwood
Lifetime achievement Motown
BeMOBO Ricky McCalla
