This is pretty massive news for the city either way you look at it: today the Echo Arena announced they’re hosting this year’s MOBO awards.

The MOBOs (Music of Black Origin) were established in 1995 and it’s usually a pretty lavish affair, with underground British RnB/hip hop/grime stars rubbing shoulders with the likes of superstars Rihanna and Janet Jackson. It’s their 15th anniversary this year so it’s going to be a big one, and we bet most of the city’s clubs are already stocking up on overpriced champagne and velvet ropes.

Last year saw Glasgow host the show for the first time outside of London, and now we’ve bagged it for 2010. Our predictions: grime prince-turned-popstar Dizzee Rascal and perma-shiny boyband JLS will clean up this year. That’s clean up in an awards sense, not mopping up the Arena floor afterwards.

If you’re interested in attending, there’s a ballot that runs throughout June over at www.mobo.com.

MOBO Awards 2010, Liverpool Echo Arena
20th October