Amy Winehouse wins black music award

Troubled soul singer Amy Winehouse won a top prize at the annual Music of Black Origin awards in London.

She was named best UK female at the awards show that celebrates black music, such as soul, hip hop and reggae, performed by artists from any background.

The Londoner has cancelled a string of concerts in recent months due to repeated health problems, which are said by her family to be drug-related.

Her father-in-law Giles Fielder-Civil urged fans last month to stop buying her records "to send a message to Amy that her addiction and her behaviour is not acceptable".

The 24-year-old was nominated for four MOBOs, including best R&B act, best video and best song for Rehab, about someone who refuses to seek help for their drinking at a clinic.

She beat Beverley Knight, Jamelia, Corinne Bailey Rae and Joss Stone to win the best UK female prize.

The night's biggest winners were both from across the Atlantic – rapper Kanye West and R&B star Ne-Yo picked up two awards each.

West, riding high in Britain after beating fellow rapper 50 Cent to claim the top spot in the UK album chart on Sunday, won the best hip hop act prize and best video award for Stronger.

Ne-Yo claimed the best song award for his worldwide hit "Because of You". He was also named best R&B act.

Among the other winners was R&B singer Rihanna, who spent 10 weeks at number one on the UK singles chart with Umbrella this summer. London rapper Dizzee Rascal was named best UK male.