Sam Williams They started out handing out flyers for student music nights, but two former college friends who set up their own record label could see one of their acts claim major music awards at the Mobos.

Sam Williams

They started out handing out flyers for student music nights, but two former college friends who set up their own record label could see one of their acts claim a major international music award.

Archie Lamb and Jack Foster, who live in the west of the city, first met three years ago while studying at City College Norwich.

After securing a number of top acts for student nights they organised in the city the pair, both now 20, set up Takeover Entertainment in 2006.

And now a video of their flagship signing, London hip hop act Tinchy Stryder, is up for a Mobo award.

The national Music of Black Origin (Mobo) awards takes place at Wembley Arena on October 15, and their entry, called Stryderman, faces tough competition - including videos by number one artists Estelle and Leona Lewis.

The entrepreneurs have already won major success with Tinchy Stryder after securing a deal with major label Universal to fund the artist's releases, and have expanded sales in merchandising - which already nets £6,000 a month in T-shirt sales alone.

They have also secured a new record deal for Tinchy Stryder to sing with hit R&B singer/songwriter Craig David.

Lamb said: “The nomination means lots to us. It is really good to be recognised by the Mobos. We are up against Estelle and Leona Lewis, and they have both had number ones.

“We are up against huge people and it's great to be recognised in the same category as them especially when we are so young.

“It is quite rare for the music business.”

The nomination reflects a huge turnaround for the duo, who dropped out of college to pursue their passion for music and setting up events.

Lamb added: “We dropped out in the first year to pursue music. We both had aspirations to be entrepreneurs and were desperate to get involved in music.

“As we got more nights together we eventually turned into a record label.

“It was hard graft. We were doing shows for free and driving up and down the country and spending a lot of our own money, but it has now paid off.”

t The Mobos can be seen on BBC3 from 9pm on October 15.