BULAWAYO artistes nominated for this year’s edition of Zimbabwe hip-hop awards bit the dust at the ceremony held at 7 Arts Theatre last week in Harare as none of them scooped any accolade.
SINDISO DUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT
To atone for the failure to land a single award in the poorly organised and chaotic awards ceremony, Kasi Lami Art Platform (Klap), however put up a well choreographed act.
Polite Sithole — aka P2daoh, — the producer of Klap who was nominated for best producer said he was not impressed by the adjudication of the awards.
“The awards were not fair. From my point of view only three categories were fair — best promoter, Diaspora and best solo dancer — the rest were not, it was just guys being given awards to boost their egos,” he said.
Local disc jockey Mark Vusani said it was a pity Bulawayo artistes did not win anything.
“It is not like Bulawayo is not good at what it does. I believe we have talent, but no resources, art thrives where avenues of exposure are plenty and the market is wider,” Vusani said.
POY was nominated for the best male artiste award, but boycotted the awards because the organisers were not willing to give monetary prizes yet they were charging people to attend the awards ceremony.
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“Even the soccer star of the year gets something, why should rappers get worthless awards? It’s simply nothing for mahala (we don’t perform for free),” POY said.
POY, Klap, Da Grape-Vine, P2daoh, disc jockey Mark Vusani, Antivirus and Explosion, Anton Banana and Yeukai Zinyoro were some of the local artistes who were nominated.
Harare-based hip-hop group Few Kings, consisting of producer Take Fizzo, Tehn Diamond and Jr Brown were the biggest winners of the night.
The three scooped the best album of the year with their debut album The Feeling aint Fair and also won the best hip-hop group of the year category.
Take Fizzo also won the best producer of the year award, Jr Brown won song of the year for his hit track Madrinks and the most valuable player, while Tehn Diamond scooped the best male of the year award. Take Fizzo told Southern Eye Lifestyle that he and his team were humbled by emerging winners on the night.
“It is humbling for us and also it’s important that our works get recognised and of all the time we spend in the studio it’s important to know that it is worth it.
“The award means a lot to me and they inspire me to do more and better and after the ceremony I went back straight to the studio for more projects,” Take Fizzo said.
Take Fizzo — real name Tatenda Jenami — added that they have started preparing for next year.
“2014 is a year of innovation and if all the artists can add more value and service in whatever they do, next year would be great,” he said.
Other winners included Mudiwa who won the best gospel, Best video of the year for 10/10 and people’s choice award.
MMT’s Zvidhori remix scooped the best collaboration and Kapital K scooped best the Diaspora award.
Late mbira queen Chiwoniso Maraire was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
Chiwoniso was one of the pioneers of hip-hop music when she formed a group named Peace of Ebony in the early ’90s.
