Winning two Mobo awards is 'just sick' says rapper

A teenage rap artist has said it was "just sick" to win two unexpected awards at the Mobo Awards.

Northampton's Daniel Chenjerai, known by the stage name DC3, won Best Newcomer and Best Gospel Act at the awards, which celebrate the best in black British music, on Thursday evening.

The 18-year-old, who by Friday morning had not slept, said he "didn't expect anything".

His Christian faith had inspired his musical style and he said he was "grateful to God" for the double success.

When he accepted his award he teared up and said "Jesus Christ is real".

He told BBC Radio Northampton "praying is part of my life, I can't rap without praying, it's a routine".

"It impacts everything I do, to the way I think, to the way I talk.

"In terms of words - it's where I get my inspiration from.

"I'm grateful, very grateful, I didn't expect anything to be honest."

He said although he started writing music aged eight, and his track I Know has been viewed 1.8m times on YouTube alone, he has yet to sign for a record label.

He hopes this could now change.

"To see the outcome of what happens is just a blessing."

After attending the awards with his parents he said the whole night was "crazy".

A stand-out moment was bumping into Pharrell Williams, who took home the global songwriter award.

"He congratulated me," he said. "To see so many legendary people and people I have grown up taking inspiration from, in one room to celebrate music was just sick."

Once he has slept he said he will start writing new music.

"I need to take in yesterday, it was just too much to take in."

As well as meeting his idols he said seeing Olivia Dean perform was "amazing".

"I'm just grateful to God", he added.

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