Valiant is 2023 MOBO Caribbean Winner
February 9, 2024
Valiant, a rising Dancehall artist, secured a prestigious MOBO Award in the ‘Best Caribbean Music Act’ category at the 26th MOBO Awards ceremony. The event, held at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena in London, saw Valiant triumph over fellow nominees such as Shenseea, Popcaan, Byron Messia, Kabaka Pyramid, and singer Destra Garcia (Trinidad). The MOBO Awards, founded in 1996 by Kanya King, celebrate the talent of black origin within the music industry, particularly in the United Kingdom. This platform recognizes exceptional British and international talent across various genres including hip hop, grime, R&B and soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and Afro-beats. Valiant’s win marks a significant achievement, especially considering the talented lineup of nominees in the category. The announcement was made via Twitter by the MOBO Awards official account, congratulating Valiant on his victory.
Valiant's success story continued into 2023, with his signing to Sony Music UK's Epic Records UK reportedly solidifying his position in the music industry
Valiant, whose real name is Raheem Bowes, gained widespread attention in late 2022 after a video shoot where he casually uttered the phrase “kotch e hat, a lie” went viral. This viral moment sparked his breakout year, leading to a series of hit songs like “Speed Off,” “Dunce Check,” “North Carolina,” “Expensive,” and “Mad Out.” Valiant’s success story continued into 2023, with his signing to Sony Music UK’s Epic Records UK reportedly solidifying his position in the music industry. His unique style, described as ‘Trappa Gospel,’ garnered attention, with Valiant citing influences from Jamaican music legends like Bob Marley, Beres Hammond, Barrington Levy, Shabba Ranks, and Shaggy. Moreover, Valiant was recognized by Vogue magazine as one of “The 9 Musicians Set to Take Over in 2023,” further solidifying his status as a rising star in the music scene.
To put it all in perspective, Valiant’s win at the 26th MOBO Awards reflects his growing impact and recognition within the Caribbean music landscape, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. His lyrical feud with dancehall colleague TeeJay is causing a stir for 2024.