Awards double for singer Jay Sean

By Kalpana Boodhoo
Entertainment Reporter, BBC Asian Network

Jay Sean had two UK top five hit singles in 2004

R&B star Jay Sean has won a pair of trophies at the UK Asian Music Awards ceremony in London.

The singer, who has scored three UK Top 20 hits, won best urban act and best video at the Royal Festival Hall.

Bhangra singer Sukshinder Shinda was named best act, Birmingham rapper Hard Kaur best female and Punjabi star H Dhami best newcomer.

The award ceremony on the South Bank featured performances from Asian musicians from around the world.

'Nice celebration'

Dance outfit Trickbaby opened the show while Canadian star Blitzkreig - the only non-UK artist to be nominated for an award in the main categories - performed alongside Roachkiller.

Dutch Bhangra singer Imran Khan was also among the line-up.

Other award winners included BBC Asian Network's Adil Ray, who picked up the award best radio show, with Swami named the year's best producer.

Speaking after his performance, Jay Sean said: "The awards are the Asian music industry's equivalent of the Brits - it's just a nice little celebration for Asian music."

The ceremony was hosted by actress Preeya Kalidas, currently starring with Lee Mead in West End musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.