LONDON (AFP) — British pop stars Estelle and Leona Lewis picked up two awards each at this year's Mobo (Music of Black Origin) awards in London on Wednesday, with rapper Dizzee Rascal also named best UK male artist.
Singer Estelle, 28, took the prize for best UK female and best song for her hit "American Boy", while 23-year-old Lewis won best album for the multi-million selling "Spirit" as well as best video.
Lewis recently became the first British woman to reach number one in the US singles charts for more than 20 years, and also played with Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page at London's Olympic preview at the Beijing Games in August.
Other winners were Chipmunk, who was named best UK newcomer, and British saxophonist YolanDa Brown who won the best jazz category.
American Chris Brown, described as the "new Michael Jackson", won best international act and best R&B/soul, while Mary Wilson, a former member of The Supremes, collected a lifetime achievement award on behalf of Motown records.
Kanya King, who founded the Mobo awards in 1996, praised the level of British talent in this year's line-up and said: "I hope that we can inspire a new generation of talent to follow their lead and fulfil their dreams."
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