R&B takes singer to three awards in just one year

A year ago, he was an unknown teenager from South- ampton with a passion for R&B. Last night Craig David became one of Britain's biggest music stars, with a record-breaking number of nominations for the Mobo Awards.

A year ago, he was an unknown teenager from South- ampton with a passion for R&B. Last night Craig David became one of Britain's biggest music stars, with a record-breaking number of nominations for the Mobo Awards.

The 19-year-old singer picked up three prizes at the annual awards in London, which celebrate the best of the R&B, garage and hip-hop world. He had six nominations, the highest number for any single artist since the Music of Black Origin awards began five years ago.

Last night's ceremony was held at Alexandra Palace after the nominations were announced last month in Las Vegas. David won best UK newcomer and best R&B act, and his track "Fill Me In" was named best UK single.

He had two nominations for that prize, the other being for "Women Trouble", his collaboration with Artful Dodger. He was also up for best UK garage act (again with Artful Dodger) and best video for "Seven Days".

David, who was a DJ at 14, has gone to number one with his singles "Fill Me In" and "Seven Days" and also with his album Born To Do It. He performed at the awards, with Gabrielle and the US stars Sisqo and Donell Jones.

The soul singer Sade, who after dominating the album charts in the Eighties with record sales of more than 40 million seemed to disappear from the music scene, made her first appearance at the awards for eight years. After marriage, divorce and the birth of her daughter she was back with a single, "By Your Side". Other awards went to singer Jamelia, who won in the best video category with her single "Money", set in a lavish period setting, and to DJ Luck and MC Neat for best UK garage act.

Best hip-hop act was won by the rap star Eminem; best UK radio DJ went to Tim Westwood from Radio 1; best reggae act was awarded to Beenie Man.

The guitarist Carlos Santana, 53, won best world music act; reggae legends Aswad picked up the Mobo award for an outstanding contribution to music, while the lifetime achievement prize was presented to LA Reid. The event was being televised by Channel 4, and will be broadcast tonight.

The contenders were picked by 1,000 music and media experts, who make up the "Mobo Academy". Winners were decided by fans. More than 600,000 votes were registered on the Mobo website for the 14 categories. Last year's award winners included Maxi Priest, Lauryn Hill, the British soul singer Beverley Knight (a double winner for best album and best R&B act), rising star Kele Le Rock and the jazzman Denys Baptiste.