LONDON (Reuters) - English rapper Tinie Tempah is leading the way among contenders for this year's MOBO awards with four nominations including Best Newcomer and Best UK Act.

Plan B and Dizzee Rascal follow with three nominations each.

The MOBO (Music of Black Origin) awards show, normally held in London, is being staged in Liverpool this year, on its 15th anniversary, on October 20.

"We have some incredible plans for this year's event and we're particularly looking forward to working with the city and implementing the BeMOBO Award as a regional initiative for the first time to honor some of the region's unsung local heroes," said MOBO Founder and CEO Kanya King.

Nominations include:

Best Newcomer: Tinie Tempah, Professor Green, Scorcher, Labrinth, Devlin

Best U.K. Act: Tinie Tempah, Jay Sean, Tinchy Stryder, Taio Cruz, Chipmunk, N-Dubz, Giggs, JLS, Roll Deep, M.I.A., Dizzee Rascal, Alexandra Burke, Sade, Plan B, Leona Lewis

Best Song: Taio Cruz ft Ke$ha - "Dirty Picture", Tinie Tempah - "Pass Out", N-Dubz ft Mr Hudson - "Playing With Fire", Mark Ronson & The Business INTL ft Q-Tip & MNDR - "Bang, Bang, Bang", Professor Green ft Ed Drewett - "I Need You Tonight"

Best U.K. R&B/Soul: Sade, Natalie Williams, Corinne Bailey Rae, McLean, Plan B

Best U.K. Hip Hop/Grime: Giggs, Professor Green, Skepta, Akala, Wiley

Best International Act: Drake, Alicia Keys, Jay Z, Rihanna, Eminem, Janelle Monae, Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj, Ne-Yo, Usher, Beyonce, Jason Derulo, Lil Wayne, Travie McCoy, Trey Songz

(Reporting by Holly Snelling; Editing by Steve Addison and Paul Casciato)