The late Jamal Edwards is being honoured with the Paving The Way prize at the 25th Mobo Awards (Picture: WireImage)

The late Jamal Edwards is set to be honoured with a special gong at this year’s Mobo Awards.

Music entrepreneur Edwards died suddenly in February at the age of 31, after helping to launch the careers of some of the UK’s biggest music acts through his music channel SBTV.

He will now be posthumously honoured with the Paving The Way prize, which celebrates trailblazers who had led the way for future generations of talent to follow.

Edwards will also be remembered at the awards show with a special tribute performance by Emeli Sande.

The annual event, which celebrates music of black origin, will mark its 25th anniversary on November 30 with a ceremony at the OVO Arena Wembley.

Chic frontman and chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Rodgers will be recognised with the lifetime achievement award on the night.

Edwards is credited with launching the careers of some of the biggest UK artists (Picture: PA)

Meanwhile, singer and rapper Craig David – a six-time Mobo winner – will receive the outstanding contribution award and will perform at the event.

He said: ‘Mobo has been there since the beginning of my career, they gave me my first award and their encouragement meant everything to me.

‘I’m so grateful for their continued support over the years, not just for myself, but for so many UK artists.

‘This acknowledgement of Outstanding Contribution is a great honour. I can’t wait to perform on the night and create more memories with Mobo.’

Craig David said being recognised for an outstanding contribution award is a ‘great honour’ (Picture: Backgrid)

Rodgers is also among the stars due to perform, joining the line-up of Kojey Radical, Tion Wayne, Fireboy DML, Cat Burns, FLO and Eliza Rose, who are all among the nominees.

London rapper and producer Knucks leads the way at this year’s awards with five nominations, followed by Little Simz with four, a year after winning the Mobo for best female act.

West London drill rapper and controversial character, Central Cee also received four nominations for his chart-topping music, including best drill act.

No stranger to the awards, the 24-year old took home the Mobo for best newcomer and the inaugural drill award in 2021.

Mercury Prize winner Little Simz has been nominated for a total of four awards (Picture: Shutterstock)

The nominations also saw rapper Ivorian Doll become the first female artist to be nominated in the drill category.

Other award hopefuls included Dave, who is nominated for two gongs including best male act, D-Block Europe, Digga D, Mahalia, Ms Banks and PinkPantheress.

This year organisers have introduced two new categories – best alternative music act for indie, rock and punk, and best dance/electronic act, celebrating genres such including jungle, drum and bass, house and techno.

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Chunkz and Yung Filly will host the award show at the OVO Arena Wembley on November 30, which will available to live stream on YouTube from 8.00pm.

BBC 1Xtra will also air a special show on December 7 with performances from the night and backstage interviews as well as Mobo Awards at 25, a special five-part podcast which will be broadcast on BBC 1Xtra and BBC Sounds.

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Edwards died in February of this year after helping to launch the careers of some of the UKs biggest acts.