Nia Archives calls out the MOBOs for having no electronic/dance category

This morning (14 April) Nia Archives shared a statement on socials calling out the MOBOs for not having an electronic/dance category. Nia Archives' statement comes after Nova Twins' 2020 open letter to the MOBOs asking them to introduce a Rock/Alternative category.

Nia Archives wrote, "It saddens me that it has been decades since an electronic/dance artist of black origin was awarded a MOBO. I myself as a new-gen junglist have to look all the way back to 1996 when Goldie won Best Album. That was over 25 yearss ago - before I was even born. Once upon a time you championed Black dance artists and had categories such as Best Dance Act, Best Jungle Act and Best Garage Act but by the early 2000s, these categories ceased to exist. The MOBOs are such an important institution and it's frustrating that the categories in their current state are not representative of Black music in all its forms."

She also wrote that she feels that the MOBOs' "lack of support has been massively regressive for the Black community and for representation of these genres and the artists operating within them", and called them out for continually resisting "to take responsibility for your disregard in supporting Black electronic/dance artists."

Nia Archives also added, "The 'MOBOs' in definition stands for 'Music of Black Origin', however, the lack of breadth in your categories and nominations are far from reflecting this ... I cannot stand by and watch the music I love continue to be gentrified and whitewashed... Electronic/dance music is music of Black origin. I'm not afraid to acknowledge it, why are you?"

@MOBOAwards electronic/dance music IS music of black origin !! pic.twitter.com/IlSdl1Hazo

— Nia Archives (@archives_nia) April 14, 2022