British urban music's beating heart is in London, yet in recent years the capital's rappers and divas had to trek to Glasgow and Liverpool for the Mobo Awards.
Last night the ceremony was back where it belongs for the first time in six years, but its pulling power among nominees was a little lacking. No FKA Twigs or Rita Ora, while Katy B preferred to play an in-store concert for Argos.
At least Jessie J was on hand to open proceedings, her lack of clothing perhaps explained by the temperature from the flames bursting from the stage.
The singer from Chadwell Heath looked lonely blasting out chart topper Bang Bang without the song's fellow vocalists Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande (they didn't make it either).
Mobo Awards 2014
She was joined by US rapper Kid Ink for Burnin' Up, though the strident R&B couldn't quite fire up this awards show, which was short of a sell-out and had to use applause sound effects for the live ITV2 broadcast.
Organisers were also unlucky in that stars they signed up are suddenly on the slide. Professor Green's new album’s bombed and, although the lasers were pretty, his awkward duet of hip-hop ballad Lullaby with Tori Kelly is unlikely to turn things around.
Nicole Scherzinger actually tried to flog a dead horse with On the Rocks, which limped into the charts at No 90 on Sunday. It was a spirited performance, though the lack of audience reaction for the former Pussycat Doll was excruciating.
The Mobos were better as a platform for underground artists. South London hip-hop duo Krept & Konan abseiled onto the stage and were surrounded by dancing riot police for the belligerent Don't Waste My Time.
Ghetts from Newham lived up to his claim that grime is the new punk.
As for the Mobo star of the future, R&B sensation Ella Eyre took ownership of the ego ramp and even had record label executives at the dining tables out of their seats.
But the night's big winner Sam Smith didn't deign to perform. Perhaps he's holding out for the Brit Awards.
