As he prepares to take perform during one of the biggest nights for Black music, Scorcher is well aware of how important the moment will be.
The Grime MC will be joined by fellow legends as they run through a medley of their biggest hits to commemorate 25 years of the genre.
“I remember watching So Solid all those years ago, all dressed in white at the MOBOs, performing,” he told the M.E.N. “For me, that was inspirational.
“It’s like a full circle moment because I remember watching and seeing that, being inspired and it’s full circle to where I’m hopefully part of something that can inspire and steer people in doing what they can do and pushing the genre forward.”
From North London, the MC is one of Grime’s pioneers. He reached the wider public’s conscious in 2004 as a member of the foundational crew Cold Blooded, before founding The Movement a Grime supergroup.
In the last few years, he’s been part of the genre’s resurgence. After a period away, he decide to pick up the mic again and embark on a series of substantive, concise and awe inspiring freestyles that saw him crowned as Grime act of the year at last year’s MOBO Awards in Newcastle.
Scorcher will be performing at the MOBO Awards 2026 -Credit:beaswrk
He hasn’t rested on his laurels either, continuing his path to steer the genre away from obsessions with analytics, chart positions and record label deals. This year, he’s up for Best Grime Act supported by TRENCH.
But despite this, he still views himself as an outsider. “I’m not part of the scene,” he proclaims.
“Last I was on the red carpet and they kept asking me about the scene, there was bare questions that didn’t relate to me.
“I remember saying, ‘I’m not part of the scene, I’m part of the culture’. It’s a totally different thing.
“Last year when I won, a lot of people felt like we won. I’m not in no competition, I’ve clashed in the dungeons, I’ve clashed in all the wrong places that man don’t wanna go.
“That’s where I’m at, I’m not in the competing section of this. When I go to the MOBOs this year, I like seeing the scene in a space closer to what I recognise culturally than it was last year, that’s a win for me.
“The more different types of people that I relate to looking at this thing like this is for them, that’s who I relate to.”
Known as Europe’s biggest and most influential celebration of Black music and culture, the awards will take place in Manchester for the first time this Thursday, March 26. Some of the biggest stars in music and culture are preparing to head to Co-op Live for MOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
The awards will take place at Co-op Live on March 26 at 8pm and will be streamed on Twitch. Hosting the evening will be hip-hop icon Eve and acclaimed comedian and broadcaster Eddie Kadi.
In its first year in Manchester, the awards will play host to the likes of Olivia Dean, Aitch, AJ Tracey, PinkPantheress, Myles Smith and many more. Olivia will also be performing on the night, as will Aitch, Myles Smith, FLO, Tiwa Savage, and Shenseea.
Scorcher will be taking the stage with Wiley, Chip, Nolay, Scorcher and D Double E. Speaking ahead of the night, he said: “For me it feels like the end of the season and you kind of get to enjoy.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the other acts and just enjoying the night really.
I’m a simple guy, I don’t need no one’s help. I need the microphone working and I’ll take it from there, that’s how I feel.
“I keep the same ideology as I did in the beginning. I used to go radio and sometimes a mic isn’t working properly. I’m from that era, I’m not from the era of recording a video that goes online and you can do the video seven times.
“I’m from, you’re live on radio, now! For me, this is just all fun.
“How can I lose? I’m on that big stage with this microphone that’s working, the lights are bright, the audience is there. Sometimes you’re going places and you don’t know how you’re going to make it home tonight!”
