Channel O Music Video Awards: a vast improvement from last year

Last night saw music lovers from across the continent congregate at Carnival City to celebrate our music, as well as honour and recognise those that make the music we enjoy so much. I decided to go to the Channel O Music Video Awards after a very beautiful lady invited me to accompany her late in the afternoon. Remembering last year's edition of the awards that were held at the City Hall in the Johannesburg CBD, there was a huge improvement in terms of organisation, the quality of the show and many other trimmings that made the occasion a success this time around.

The registration was pretty easy and the pre-cocktail event enjoyable, setting a tone for a fun night. The whole event went smoothly, with great performances from artists like PRO(kid) and Les (collaborating together on Les' Tippy Toes song, and joined by Bongani Fassie towards the end of the song - PRO had chatted briefly to me about their rehearsal as we made our way to the arena) ; the face-masked Bleksem, featuring Crazy Boy, aka KB Ngakane doing his thing like his appearance on the original song (and was their dancer hot or what, she can mowhat a great way to open the show); a Namibian female MC called Zero, who resembles Pebbles in appearance and reminded me of old-school female rappers like Queen Penn and MC Lyte; and many more.

The only downpoints to the awards was the fact that like last year South Africa didn't win any awards, but the Best African Southern video award which was won by Freshlyground. (I mean c'mon, Namibia took the Best Kwaito category again). Liza James beat KB and other contenders for the Best Female Video crown and the top accolade of Video Of The Year was awarded to Nigerian twin brothers dubbed P-Squared (see picture above - red jackets). What I like about other African countries though in these awards, is that they really show their geniune excitement and enjoy the moment when they win. It was no different yesterday as they shouted and danced and sang.

Nonhle Tema, compeering with KB looked ravishing with her 3 dress changes. I spoke to her after the show and she asked me which outfit I liked the most, and because she looked fantastic in all of them, I said all. Presenters of the awards included Channel O presenters Chuma, Tania, Nzinga and Lungile Radu, whom the women are crazy about. Evertime he stepped into the stage, the screams from the ladies would shutter the house down [lucky man that]. There were a few other people I chatted to that attended, including fashion designer Ephymol, some entertainment industry peeps I know, etc. It was really a fun night. Let's hope next year will be even better. Thanks for the company and great conversations Minki, had a stupendous time :-).

Photos by Thabo Moloto

Metro FM takes their music awards to Pretoria, and introduces 2 new categories

You may have heard by now that the Metro FM Music Awards will be hosted in the city of Tshwane this year. This, together with the news about the introduction of 2 new categories, namely Hit Song Of The Year and Best Collaboration, was revealed at Movida in Sunninghill where Metro FM hosted the media, industry people, artists and the general public as they announced the award nominees for 2008 instalment of the awards; as well as capping off their 22nd Birthday celebration in style and glamour.

I was very excited to learn that one of my favourite duo/groups, Jaziel Brothers, whose album I've been immensely enjoying (see my review of their album at YEAHBO.DOT.NET), received the highest number, scooping four nominations. With an equal number of nods is Pretoria's own Rhythmic Elements. One of Jaziel Brothers' contests is for the top honours in the Song Of The Year category, alongside DJ Vetkuk vs Mahoota, Jub Jub, and my hometown's Big Nuz.

The event didn't really stand out for me, I expected more. Maybe it's because of the bad sound, or the fact that it was too crowded and people were yapping around with no consideration for those that wanted to know what was going on in the stage. Or perhaps, it's the combination of both. Amongst the performers for night were Bantu Soul, Rythmic Elements and Howza (and Chomee was to perform later - I left before she performed). There were too many familar faces present to mention here, but I got a chance to shortly chat with Zuluboy and Ben Dikobe, amongst others. I also met a lady called Kyle who told me she used to be a gospel singer and is now Chomee's vocal coach.

The race is now on to see who will be crowned kings and queens at the big event to be held in a yet undisclosed venue in Pretoria on the 29th of November. But before that, the public needs to decide who the top 3 for each category will be, the voting closes on the 22nd October 2008. To see the full nominee list, voting details, and more information, please go to YEAHBO.DOT.NET.

Mzansi's own minibus-taxi television service launched

A very good friend of mine, Angelo Tandy (pink shirt, first photo), extended an invite to me late last week, to witness a great technological moment at a media launch of a groundbraking television service station, which is to hit Mzansi by storm. I couldn't make it to the event, but have just received the some stills that were taken on the day. Angelo, is the director for the new MASSIV TV service that will be available for taxi commuters on board to their different destinations.

MASSIV TV, a new interactive satellite television service installed in minibus-taxis, took guests on an experiential journey into Soweto on Tuesday the 7th October. Media and advertisers took a ride in the upgraded vehicles equipped with the new MASSIV TV system to get a glimpse of the hi-tech future of the taxi industry. This R20m state-of-the-art TV system - developed to suit the commuters, taxi owners and the advertising industry - fits both upgraded older taxis and the new Recap models. It comprises a very sophisticated computer system, a TV screen in front of the passengers and surround-sound speakers above their heads carrying programme content from SABC as well as advertising. This free to air service is played out daily and gives a 48-month contract to taxi owners who will get back a share of the monthly advertising revenue and will be provided with a free vehicle management service and free tracking and recovery.

What a brilliant idea, I'm very impressed. There'll never be boredom and you'll be kept on the loop with different subjects in your journey to wherever you are commuting too. I'm definitely going to experience this amazing phenomenon very soon. Well done MASSIV TV, and Angelo, I'm very proud of you.

Picture 1 - Angelo Tandy (MASSIVE Director) & David Kanyika

Picture 2 - Tiff Willemse & Wandi

Picture 3 - Amstel, Tshedi Moholo, Koyo Bala & Khanyisile Mbau

Lee and Taekwondo sizzle with their African contemporary piece

Things are so unpredictable in the So You Think You Can Dance competition, and it's getting very exciting. Last week we were raving about the pantsula jive that was done by Darren and Megan and this week Lee and Taekwondo stole the limelight with their sterling presentation of their African contemporary routine. It's getting a bit uneasy and diffucult too as most dancers voted out are not getting booted off because of their lack of talent or poor perforamce, but because someone has to go.

Lee and Taekwondo not only displayed their flair in the dance floor, but their zeal and commitment to go all the way in this competition. It was not easy though as Thabiso and Elizma displayed the same type of passion and focus as they both excelled on their kwaito piece. I must say it was the most exciting dance of the night because of the fusion of the current dance styles the whole country is enjoying. Bathembu and Marise were also part of the clan that danced beautifully, showing an unimaginable level of chemistry and fluidity in their dance.

Like I said last week, things are getting tougher by the week. For tonight's reveal show, a couple who danced together on Saturday's live show, are out of the competition. Please watch So You Think You Can Dance tonight at 7pm on SABC1 to see who the couple is. We'll see what happens this coming weekend as all the dancers fight for one more week in the competition. We are giving away 5 pairs of tickets to anybody who would like to go and see the live broadcast of So You Think You Can Dance this coming Saturday, 11 October 2008. Please go to YEAHBO.DOT.NET for more details.

Jerusalema vying for a nod for next year's Oscars

Whilst I was watching Morning Live this morning, I couldn't contain my excitememnt after hearing Leanne Manas mention that Jerusalema may score a nomination in the Best Foreign Film category for next year's edition of the Academy Awards. When I watched the movie early in August and also chatted to leading actor in the raw, real, entertaining and gritty drama, Rapulama Seiphemo (please see the full interview at YEAHBO.DOT.NET), I just knew that the film was destined for bigger things.

This journey to success includes the film raking in excess of R3 million rands since it opened, with limitations of only screening in just a few cinemas countrywide, as well as still sitting in the top 10 for the past weekend, ending 05 October 2008. Now, with the film submitted as the final selection for South Africa in the Best Foreign Language Film, we can only hope that the judging panel gives it their stamp as the official nominee. This will happen at the end of January and on the 22nd of February 2009 we will know if Jerusalema follows in the footsteps of another Mzansi classic, the Oscar-winning Tsotsi, for the top crown.

If you haven't seen the movie, please go out and show your support. I promise you, you will enjoy it immensely. We will be keeping our fingers crossed for Jerusalema to repeat history and prove that we are nothing short of world class when it comes to our products.