Photo: WENN
Labrinth has questioned the point of the MOBO awards, saying that they seem to have lost their identity.
Labrinth is nominated for four awards - Best UK Male, Best Album, Best Song and Best R&B/Soul Act, with the latter being the only category that he's not in competition with Sheeran.
He spoke to The Daily Star about his feelings on the awards, including the fact that they are being watered down by pop music and the inclusion of artists who are not making music of black origin, which is why the awards were created.
Labrinth told the paper,"I think it is a bit weird because Ed Sheeran doesn't make black music, and neither does Conor Maynard - he makes commercial pop.
He added: "Even I'm not making black music. It's commercial music, but at least it is more related to hip-hop so it makes more sense. I don't think it should be called the Music Of Black Origin anymore. It should be Music Of Urban Origin, or just Music Awards."
Ed Sheeran didn't take it personally, however, as he retweeted a link to the article with the comment "I agree."
Trevor Nelson presents an awards at the 2010 MOBOs.
Labrinth can't be too upset about it though - because he's got something to celebrate.
He currently looks set to score his first UK number one single with his duet featuring Emeli Sande, 'Beneath Your Beautiful.' The song is currently 14,000 sales ahead of the second place competition, Swedish House Mafia's 'Don't You Worry Child'.
The duo performed live on Sunday night's X Factor results show. The track is the sixth single to be taken from Labrinth's deut album Electronic Earth and will also be included on the re-released version of Emeli Sande's debut album, Our Version Of Events.
Watch the video of their duet below:
Below: photos from the 2011 MOBO Awards red carpet
