Artists ready for Mobo battle

Beyonce Knowles scored a global hit with Crazy In Love

The best of urban music is being showcased at the annual Music of Black Origin (Mobo) Awards in London on Thursday.

Some of the biggest names in R&B, hip-hop, garage and reggae will battle it out for prizes at the Royal Albert Hall.

Beyonce Knowles, Big Brovaz and newcomer Terri Walker lead the field this year with four nominations each.

Mercury Award winner Dizzee Rascal and nominees Floetry are also contenders.

Former Destiny's Child star Beyonce is up for best album, best single and best video as well as best R&B act. Many of last year's big winners - including Ms Dynamite, Alicia Keys and Ja Rule - are absent from this year's nominations.

Big Brovaz, a six-piece collective from south London, have been shortlisted for best UK act, album, video and newcomer.

See full list of nominees

British female trio Mis-Teeq - who won best garage act last year - have picked up three nominations this time including UK act of the year.

Walker also received nominations for best album, best UK act and best R&B artist.

Chart-topping Jamaican star Sean Paul is nominated for best reggae artist - which he won last year.

Jay-Z shares two of Beyonce's nominations for their collaboration, Crazy In Love, but also makes it into the nominations as a solo rap star.

He will compete against the likes of Busta Rhymes, Eminem and 50 Cent in the best hip-hop category.

Kelly Rowland will compete with her former Destiny's Child bandmate Beyonce for best R&B act, and is also shortlisted for her collaboration with Nelly on his single Dilemma.