SAMA's are just 2 weeks away

With the SAMA's just a forth-night away, spirits are flying high from different musicians that have been nominated, the artists that will be rocking the stage, as well as presenters handing out the statuettes, and music lovers and supporters throughout the country. The tickets are selling and selling very fast, so hurry up and get yours (from Computicket).

It's promising to be a fun-filled night, what with current IT boy Trevor Noah announced as the host for the night. I believe this choice was the right and wise one by the organising committee, that boy is extremely entertaining on stage, immensely talented. I'm really looking forward to the charisma he will inject in the once very lively affair.

Don't miss out on the 15th Annual MTN South African Music Awards taking place at Sun City on the 02nd of May 2009. If you can't make it, make sure to catch the live broadcast on SABC1 at 20:00. And also, the race is still on for the Record Of The Year, so please head on to samusicawards.co.za to see how you can vote for your favourite artist or song to scoop this sought after catergory.

Jozi walk away with an MTV African Music gong for Best Live act

Abuja in Nigeria was the place to be this past weekend as the inaugural MTV African Music Awards with Zain went down. The assortment of winners and performers for the night also proved that the African spirit and unity were alive and well. This resulted in the ceremony enjoying a thunderous success.

It seems Les' cries were head (well, not precisely so) as Jozi walked away with the award for Best Live act. Many may remember when the one third of the energetic hip hop outfit made headlines criticising South Africans for not voting in awards that require the public votes. I'm extremely excited and feel they more than deserve the accollade as they are absolutely the best in their live performances. Other South Africans that put the country on the map were the rockers Seether who took the golden mic for Best Alternative ensemble. Also, it's said that the most poignant moment of the night was when MTV paid homage to two of Africa's most treasured legends, including Mama Africa Miriam Makeba, who passed away just a few weeks before the awards ceremony.

The biggest winner of the night at the first ever MTV African Music Awards with Zain was Nigerian music extraordinaire D'Banj. He scooped the statuettes for Best Male, Artist Of the Year and Viewer's Choice categories. Other winners included Kenya's Wahu as Best Female for the night; Alicia Keys crowned for Best R&B (award accepted by my wife in my head :-), Kelly Rowland on Alicia's behalf), as well another of the most coveted categories Best Group, which was awarded to Nigerian twin-duo P Square.

The performances wing of the awards is said to have been sizzling hot too, with an electrifying collaboration between Kelly Rowland and D'Banj; an intense dance-off between P Square and Jozi; a soulful delivery by Paris-based Nigeria's Asa; as well as a thrilling showcase by FloRida and The Game. Apparently, other noteworthy highlights included sterling perfromances from HHP, 9ice, Cassette, Jua Cali, Naeto C, Ikechukwu and Fela Kuti's (who was honoured with MAMA Legend award) son Sean Kuti accompanied by his father's band Egypt 80.

It sounds like it was a memorable night and a great beginning for the MTV African Music Awards with Zain. We can only hope that it grows bigger and better. Alex Okosi did mention at a press conference in Jozi during the Road to MAMA's tour that the awards ceremony will be taken around the continent, so I'm waiting with excitement for Mzansi's turn in the next few years.

If you missed out on all the festivities, please tune into MTVbase in the next few days as I'm sure Sizwe and Fikile will bring you snippets behind the velvet rope of the MAMA's.

Jozi and The Game rock at The Road to MAMA's

We are just a few days away from the very first ever MTV African Music Awards with Zain, taking place in Abuja, Nigeria on the 22nd of November 2008. Leading to the big event, MTV has been staging shows dubbed Road To MAMA's continentally since last Tuesday. On Thursday was our turn to experience the thrill after their stop in the DRC. On the Mzansi lineup was controversial U.S. rapper The Game, accompanied by our own sizzling hip hop outfit, Jozi; part South African and part American soul singer Goapele; local rockers The Parlotones and Cassette; as well as another local hip hop giant HHP.

Earlier in the day I attended the press conference paneled by, amongst others, MTV Networks Africa Senior Vice President and Managing Director Alex Okosi, who is always such a pleasure to talk with because of his humility and friendly nature; Zain's Marketing Director, Gill (sorry, can't remember her surname); and the artists Goapele, Les and Bongani from Jozi (with Ishmael making a late appearance), Khan from The Parlotones and Zambian volcalist, Danny. The headliner, The Game, was there too, only towards the end of the conference as he was dismally late. The press conference was started without him, 1 and a half hour after the scheduled time. What's even more sad is that once he stormed in, with an entourage of more than 10 people, everybody else on the panel seemed to have been forgotten by the media that posed questions.

I must say I was very impressed with the way he handled the questions though, speaking very eloquently. He touched on a few topics, amongst them mentioning his experience in the DRC, addressing why he brought such a large entourage, as well as his views on how people have lost the definition or meaning of rap beefs. The Game emphasised how important it is to surround yourself with friends and family, resulting in bringing his friends to share his African experience. He also made mention of his rivalry with Dr. Dre, uttering that he hasn't spoken or seen his "mentor" in over a year. He added, "Dre abondoned me. And if he were to ask me to appear on Detox, I would decline".

The array of subjects that The Game touched on also included his views on President Elect Barack Obama, congratulating and comparing his election triumph to that of Mandela's in 1994. Raising eyebrows in the room, he gleefully quipped, "I have killed and fought to survive", when he was asked about some of the challenges he has gone through in his life. He emphasised, however, that he is not proud of those experiences of his life.

Jozi also talked about their journey since bursting into the music scene about 3 years ago. Bongani seemed very emotional and lost for words whenever he spoke about his mother Brenda Fassie. With the recent passing of the legendary Miriam Makeba, many spoke about her achievements and how they are willing to honour her legacy. Alex Okosi excitedly announced, "We are planning on acknowledging Mama Africa during the awards show. It's a pity that this happened at this stage of the preparations because we would have loved to do more. But, there are more ceremonies to come in the future."

Later than evening, we were treated to just a taste of what's in store for the actual awards ceremony this coming Saturday. Danny opened the bill, followed by HHP, who always mesmerizes me with his live sets. Although all their performances were quite short, due to time constraints, my highlight for the night has to be Jozi, who have shown a great deal of growth since their introduction into the music scene. Their performances are always so energetic, thrilling and sincerely entertaining. They brought out a Nigerian group of dancers when their set began, exciting the audiences with their bold and interesting moves. It wasn't just their moves that left the crowds gasping for more, but their engaging interaction with their audience.

I need to utter my disappointment in the crowd's reaction to Goapele's performance. They seemed bored and detached from what was going on. However, I must also point out that it was mostly a hip hop crowd present and probably couldn't relate to the type of music she does. It was only at the end when she did her smash hit Closer, that the crowd seemed to warm up and sing along, but it was too late since that was her closing tune. The Parlotones and Cassette also gave it their all, sampling all their greatest hits we have come to love from both the groups. The Game, the headline act, also did the same. He rapped on songs that have made him popular, from his G-Unit days to the present. Although at times a bit cynical (like taking unwarranted stabs at his former G-Unit frontman 50 Cent), he held it down and gave a great performance. Apparently, me and a friend missed out on a great treat from a 7-year old Soweto boy who stole the show at the end of The Game's set, because we ran out just before the end to avoid the traffic out of the venue.

It was a great evening, filled with loads of entertanimnet. I didn't even chill at the VIP suites because all the fun was down there in front of the stage. The Road To Mama's continues in Zambia and Nigeria this week, before the spectacular finale planned for Nigeria on Saturday. Those that are lucky will get to experience what we did last Thursday and even more at the MTV African Music Awards with Zain on the 22nd of November 2008 in Nigeria. If you can't be there, don't worry, MTV has you covered as they will broadcast the show on MTVbase.

Photos by Xolani Matshikwe

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.