Loving this album right now, Basement Jaxx have really gone in and delivered with this album. The promo CD is in my car and is on near consistent rotation right now. As a Jaxx fan, they’ve taken it back to the anything goes vibe of Rooty and have got a guest list that includes artists as diverse as Sam Sparro, Santigold, Paloma Faith and even Yoko Ono!

The track that is KILLING it for me right now is one that I had to pester the label into allowing me to get the radio exclusive first play of (Shouts to Chris & Hannah); a track featuring Vula, Meleka, Kelis and Chipmunk on the title track called ‘Scars’:

What do you think?

Lots of “WTF??” moments including Jeremih being nominated for Best R&B before he’s even released a record in the UK; Dublin’s Laura Izibor being nominated in the Best UK newcomer category; Dizzee’s “Bonkers” not being nominated in the Best Song category and Drake being nominated in 2 categories (look, while Drake is definitely the future of HipHop, the nomination feels a little premature as it comes before any official release…)

Then there were a good few surprising but for the right reason moments including Donae’o getting a nomination for Best UK Act; my boy Bashy getting 2 nominations (Best UK Act & Best Album for “Catch Me If You Can”) and JLS getting a nomination for best song for “Beat Again” (we all know it was my remix that got them the nomination!) and of course me being nominated in the Best DJ category. Yes, you read it correctly:

I’ve been nominated for a MOBO in the Best DJ Category!!!

It’s my first MOBO nomination and as I’m sure you can imagine, I’m overly chuffed! I remember watching the first MOBOs on TV wishing I was there & dreaming of winning an award. Now, I’m nominated and it’s a possibility I could win.

I’m up against some very stiff competition including a couple of legendary DJs who have inspired me in the past and more than a couple of colleagues (full list below) but if you feel like you like what I do on the radio, in the club and on the blogs please register here or click on the picture and vote for the youngest DJ nominated in 2009!

And remember, a vote for me is a vote for the underground! Find out who wins what on 30th September 2009.

Here are the main MOBO Award 2009 nominations:

Best HipHop Act:

Dizzee Rascal, Drake, Chipmunk, Eminem & Kanye West

Best Album:

Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreaks, Tinchy Stryder – Catch 22, Bashy – Catch Me If U Can, Beyonce – I Am Sasha Fierce, N Dubz – Uncle B

Best R&B/Soul Act:

Beverley Knight, Ciara, Jeremih, Keri Hilson, Lemar

Best Song:

JLS – Beat Again, Chipmunk – Diamond Rings, KIG – Heads, Shoulders Knees & Toes, Tinchy Stryder & N Dubz – Number 1, N Dubz – Strong Again

Best Video:

Dizzee Rascal – Bonkers, Alesha Dixon – The Boy Does Nothing, Chipmunk ft Emeli Sande – Diamond Rings, Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), Mr Hudson ft Kanye West – Supernova

Best International Act:

Akon, Beyonce, Ciara, Drake, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Lady Gaga

Best UK Act:

Alesha Dixon, Bashy, Beverley Knight, Chipmunk, Dizzee Rascal, Ironik, Donae’o, Mr Hudson, N Dubz & Tinchy Stryder

Best UK Newcomer:

Alexandra Burke, Jade Ewen, JLS, Laura Izibor, Master Shortie

Best Reggae:

Mavado, Sean Paul, Serani, Tarrus Riley, Vybz Kartel

Best DJ:

Westwood, Trevor Nelson, Semtex, Shortee Blitz, Manny Norte, Steve Sutherland, Sarah Love, Rickie & Melvin, Ras Kwame, Masterstepz, Target & Me!

To build the anticipation, he’s planning to release footage daily of each individual artist and the studio session that lead up to them laying the verse that you will eventually hear on the full song every day this week and I’ll blog it here for you.

First up, it’s the skywalker himself – Scorcher:

Go Chipmunk, go Chipmunk go!

Taken from his major label (Columbia) debut album “I Am…Chipmunk” released soon

Shouts to Bish Bash Bosh, Toddla T on the beat, Des, George, CJ and the GGI familia. This tracks is HUGE – any DJ’s who aren’t playing it are waste. Simple as.

Can’t wait to see his performance at Radio 1′s Big Weekend this year during my set on the outdoor stage.

I can’t knock Ironik – his hustle is strong and his (very large) fanbase will love this. The fact that Elton has not only cleared the sample but also allowed Ironik to use the original master tapes to get the accapella of his original “Tiny Dancer” is a very huge look. It’s all about TRC’s bassline mix though – the original version is a bit too High School Musical for me. What do you think?

They does this!