TONIGHT could be the night when one man's life is changed forever.While crowds gather at the Royal Albert Hall for the Mobo awards, Suffolk soul star Nate James will be nervously waiting to find out if he has been chosen as a winner.

TONIGHT could be the night when one man's life is changed forever.

While crowds gather at the Royal Albert Hall for the Mobo awards, Suffolk soul star Nate James will be nervously waiting to find out if he has been chosen as a winner.

The Woodbridge born singer has been nominated for two awards in the prestigious Mobos and faces competition from some of the biggest names in the industry.

Standing for Music Of Black Origin, this year marks the tenth anniversary of the Mobo awards.

In that short space of time it has become one of the most important events in the music industry calendar and a nomination can raise an artist's profile.

With his debut solo album Set The Tone released last month, Nate has already enjoyed a busy 2005.

The nominations were announced in August and the singer faces stiff competition from more established names.

His first nomination, for the Best R&B Act award will see him go up against Lemar, Mariah Carey, Ciara, John Legend and Terri Walker.

The second, in the Best Newcomer category, will see him compete against Kamo, Lethal B, Roll Deep and Sway.

When the nominations were announced on August 24, Nate admitted how much such an accolade meant to him.

“It is a surprise and an honour to find myself in such distinguished company and up for two awards,” he said.

“If I won I would die with excitement but just to be nominated in the same category as John Legend, Ciara and Mariah Carey is encouraging - I must be doing something right.”

Now based in London, Nate is a regular visitor to his parents Woodbridge home, where he grew up and was recently in Ipswich to sign copies of his album.

Award winners will be announced at the ceremony tonight, which will feature performances by Lauryn Hill, Ms Dynamite and Public Enemy.