College Dropout? West is crowned king of rap

He is a former art student who dresses like a preppy, loves his mother and has no apparent propensity for violence - but Kanye West's emergence as the new king of rap was underlined last night when he won three Mobo awards.

He is a former art student who dresses like a preppy, loves his mother and has no apparent propensity for violence - but Kanye West's emergence as the new king of rap was underlined last night when he won three Mobo awards.

West, who went platinum this summer with his debut album, College Dropout, has managed to find a formula that combines intelligent rhymes with infectious beats and appeals to the entire spectrum of hip hop fans. He took home the awards for best hip hop act, best producer and best album categories at the event which celebrates music of black origin.

His achievement was matched by Jamelia, the West Midlands-born singer, who also won three awards at last night's Royal Albert Hall ceremony. She picked up the award for best single for her hit 'Thank You', and also won the best video act category for 'See it in a Boy's Eyes' and shared the Uk act of the year award with Dizzee Rascal, a London rapper.

Despite being nominated for seven Mobos, West was unsuccessful in four other categories for which he was nominated. Although he has only recently come to wider prominence, he has for many years been a prolific and in-demand record producer, helping to make hits for such artists as Jay-Z, Ludacris, Janet Jackson and Brandy. But College Dropout has propelled him to a new level of fame.

Elsewhere in the Mobos, Estelle, a female rapper from London, was named as best newcomer. Jamie Cullum was chosen as best jazz act and Brazil's Bebel Gilberto was acclaimed as best world music act while the American singer, Usher, won best R&B act.

The Mobos, which were filmed by BBC 1, gave special awards to two of the best-known female soul singers of the last 25 years, Anita Baker and Janet Jackson. The organisers also announced the setting up of the Mobo Foundation, which aims to provide support for young people in a series of "music and non-music activities".

This year's Mobos have been surrounded by controversy after protests by gay rights activists over the nomination of two dancehall reggae artists who have been accused of espousing violently homophobic views in their lyrics. Following complaints from a gay pressure group, Outrage!, the organisers withdrew the nominations for Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel, saying they had failed to apologise for anti-gay content.

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Best R&B Act

Usher

Best Hip Hop Act

Kanye West

Best Video Act

Jamelia - "See It In A Boy's Eyes"

Best Single Act

2play Feat. Raghav & Jucxi-D

Best Album

Kanye West - College Dropout

Best Jazz Act

Jamie Cullum

Best Reggae Act

Sean Paul

Best Producer

Kanye West

Best World Music Act

Bebel Gilberto

Best Gospel Act

Raymond & Co

Best UK Radio DJ

Jigs - Choice FM

Best UK Club DJ

Manny Norte

UK Act Of The Year

Dizzee Rascal & Jamelia

Best Newcomer

Estelle

Best Ringtone

Mario Winans

Mobo Icon Hall Of Fame

Janet Jackson

Mobo Lifetime Achievement Award

Anita Baker