Amy Winehouse leads MOBO award nominations

LONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) Singer Amy Winehouse, who pulled out of a string of US concerts this week due to health problems, has dominated the shortlist for this year's Music of Black Origin (MOBO) awards, organisers said today.

After weeks of tabloid speculation about her health, the Londoner was nominated for four awards, including best female, R&B act and video.

Her hit ''Rehab'', about someone refusing to seek help for their drinking at a rehabilitation clinic, is in the running for the best single prize.

Yesterday, she announced she would postpone tour dates in the United States and Canada in September to allow her to ''address her health issues''.

Winehouse, who won the best female solo artist prize at this year's Brit Awards, faces competition at the MOBOs from fellow Londoner Dizzee Rascal, also up for four awards.

The rapper is nominated in four categories: Best UK male; song (Sirens); video (Sirens) and hip hop act.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on September 19 at The 02 arena in London, formerly the Millennium Dome.

The MOBO awards were established in 1996 to celebrate black music, such as soul, hip hop and reggae, performed by artists from any background.

REUTERS AM DS1613