Ms Dynamite explodes on to the scene with six Mobo nominations

Ms Dynamite, the 21-year-old whose debut album is already in the running for the Mercury Prize, last night received nominations in six categories for the Mobo awards for contemporary black music.

Rivalling Craig David's record six nominations of two years ago, she will now face competition from one of last year's big winners, Usher, for the best R&B act award and from So Solid Crew, the other big name at last year's ceremony, for UK artist of the year.

Ms Dynamite, whose real name is Naomi McLean-Daley, will face the Grammy-winning Alicia Keys and fellow Mercury nominees The Streets in both the best newcomer category and the best album category.

And her rivals for the best video will include Aaliyah, the singer who was killed in a plane crash last year.

Despite fierce competition in many categories from American stars including Eminem, P Diddy and Ashanti, British acts look set to hold their own at the award ceremony which will be held on 1 October at the London Arena.

It is a five-way split between British bands for the best garage act, with So Solid Crew, Daniel Bedingfield, Heartless Crew, More Fire Crew and Mis-Teeq the artists in contention. One of the most fiercely fought categories is likely to be best UK DJ with the Dreem Teem, Trevor Nelson, Steve Sutherland and Tim Westwood among the nominees.

Kanya King, who founded the Mobo awards six years ago, said: "We're back waving the Union Flag, but, as always, with an ear stateside."

Craig David will perform his single, "What's Your Flava," at the award ceremony where American superstar LL Cool J will also appear. Alesha Dixon, from Mis-Teeq, will present the awards.

Last year, Craig David, the home-grown winner of three honours in the year 2000, was beaten to two of the most prestigious awards, best R&B artist and best album, by his American rivals, Usher.