The Nigerian Music Video Awards went down at Gallagher Estate on Sunday. Oops, did I say Nigerian Awards? I meant to say Channel O Spirit of Africa MVA’s. They could have been mistaken for the Nigerian awards though, what with Nigerian artists winning all the important awards!!
If the claim that 10% of Africa’s entire population is in Naija is true, then no wonder they managed to get so many votes.
I am in no way saying that the Naija artists did not deserve to win. Y’all know I dig 2Face & I did predict that Mode9 would do well; it’s just that I’m disappointed Freshly Ground did not win anything. But then again, as it has happened many times before (Telkom charity cup, Strictly Come Dancing, etc.), South Africans do not vote!! We keep sending abo “please call me” or “call backs” instead of voting and still expect our favourites to win!
Ok, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration but abo darkie, we don’t vote shame, not with our airtime, neh?
Enough politics, here’s what took place at the awards; you guys can catch them on Sunday, 22 October 2006 at 20:00 on Channel O but before we get to the awards, here’s what they won’t show you on Sunday:
1. At first there were many empty seats in the auditorium; Channel O VJ KB came to ask everybody to fill up the front seats because for some reason some people that were nominated decided not to pitch.
2. KB made a joke that they all got last minute gigs and therefore had to cancel. This is why, as you will hear, all the peeps that came to accept awards on behalf of the absentees kept saying they had “gigs”.
3. Man of the Moment, Zola, arrived unfashionably late and some not so famous peeps had to move from their seats to make way for him.
4. You guys won’t see Malaika accept their award but they did come, just way too late! Jabu was not there though; hope he’s not sick again.
David Kau and KB were hilarious as the hosts, though I did think that KB tried a tit bit too much at times.
David is definitely one of the best comedians we have in Mzansi. He kept the audience in stiches and though he kept making fun of the Nigerians all the time, they didn’t seem to mind.
Joey Rasdien also got his few minutes of African fame when he did his bit of stand up comedy. No surprises for guessing that the joke was on Nigeria, yet again. It was really funny though, I enjoyed it.
The first thing I thought when I walked in that auditorium was “Is that it?” I don’t know if I expected too much but I was kinda expecting a bigger and better stage.
Another one of my gripes with the awards, though I can’t blame the organizers for it, is that there were so many nominated artists that didn’t pitch.
DJ Fresh wasn’t there to collect his Best African DJ award, Lucky Dube did not pitch for his Best Reggae, 2Face Idibia did not make my dream come true, I so wanted to see him!!
Mandoza wasn’t there for his Best Collaboration with Danny K (really, I wouldn’t mind re-checking the actual votes on this one).
Brickz was also not there and it didn’t help that DJ Cleo was backstage when Brickz’ s Best Kwaito award was announced so he was also unable to accept it on his behalf.
Speaking of the Best Kwaito award, when so called ‘king” Arthur went up to the stage to present the award with Lungsta, Lungsta exclaimed that it was tight. Arthur mockingly responded by saying: “You think that’s tight?’
I was like, “hello! It’s not as if you’ve done any better!!” Who the hell is he to suggest that Brickz, Alaska, Black Jack, Mzekezeke, Spikiri aren’t “tight”??
Ain’t nobody does it better than those boys! Least of all him, really! I challenge him to go on stage alone, without the dancers and see if he would pull a crowd.
Don’t get me started on you Arthur please.
I think Channel O should not have fuelled this “kwaito King” myth by letting him present the award.
His Protégé, Chomee, gave a super performance though and all the guys couldn’t stop screaming.
The first performance of the night however, was from Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), featuring Nkanyiso Bhengu, he of Coca Cola Popstars fame.
I have never heard such noise in my life!! I don’t know what possessed HHP to bring that guy with him but it didn’t work. He was loud, am not even sure if he sings in the song or knows where and when he should sing but damn, he should not have been up on that stage.
He was kinda fun to watch though but I could see Olisa (BBN host), who was sitting in front of me, shaking his head in disapproval. As Shwashwi would say, If I had a remote I, too, would definitely have pressed “mute” throughout the performance.
Another disturbing performance came from Gal Level. And no, it wasn’t the gals themselves but the guy who happened to be on stage with them. Damn, somebody teach that man the meaning of “Hype Man”.
He was so dead on stage, you could swear he was carrying a coffin or something. Anyone who knows Gal Level please tell them not to mess up their otherwise ok stage act with that pole. That guy makes Riaan from Strictly Come Dancing look like Michael Jackson when it comes to dancing and y’all know Riaan can’t dance, whether or not he won.
While we are on the Gal Level tip, I so made an arse of myself when talking to their manager. I thought Gal Level was one person so I kept saying “she”, “she” and was wondering why he kept saying “they” till he gently told me they are two in the group. Eish, ignorance.
Brown Dash, Sash & Ntando brought the house down with their medley of Sash’s song with Ntando, that says Ka Mina Ka Wena, as well as Brown Dash’s Ayobayo. I am really feeling that song!!! Ayobayo ayobayobayo!!
No sign of Mzekezeke on stage but DJ Sbu was there in his BEE attire! Looks like somebody responded to his ama BEE song.
I hear he drives a Porsche? Hola Mzakes Man!!
A VERY COLOURFUL performance came from Best Female winner, Mozambique’s Lizha James whom I think is a Lil Kim-wanna-be. You guys know I’m not a fashion fundi but there’s something very 80’s about these jeans.
As for the “hooker” outfit she wore onstage when getting the award, my lips are sealed!
King Katung and Tana came up to present the award for Best West African and he was his gorgeous self!! He was looking yummy as always...
y’all know he’s the one that begged to take this pic with me, right? KatShuga in da hizza!!
(Blogiwooders, King K is in town till Friday, if you'd like to get in touch, holla @ yo gal brownshuga@tvsa.co.za and I'll hook you up with his local number)
I honestly almost did not recognize Proverb! He was looking ultra fab on stage when presenting the award with Bridget. He looked so clean! He also presented best Hip Hop to Mode9 accompanied by Mzansi’s first lady of Hip Hop, Lee Kasumba from YFM.
Must she always present Hip Hop awards? I’m just asking.
Some fool, who obviously has some sort of beef with Lee, “accidentally” spilt a drink on the (former) YMAG Editor’s dress at the after party and quickly disappeared in the crowd after that. Umona!!!
I am really happy for Mode9 for winning all those awards, Best Hip Hop, Video of the Year & Best Video Director, all for his song Cry, Featuring Nnena but damn somebody should have warned me not let him sit right behind me. I swear if I never hear the word “sh!t” again ever in my live, it will be too soon.
Zamajobe, who was lucky enough to sit next to me, (he-he-he) walked away with the Best Urban Jazz award and she’s looking so good, I actually didn’t recognize her when she did the red carpet. She was accompanied by a girl friend and says she still feels a bit fat after the baby and all.
You guys see any fat here??
The most handsome looking man of the evening, I don’t care who says what but it was Lungile!
Lungsta was so gorgeous; my cradle-snatching fantasies came rushing right back! Am I the only one who wants to kiss those lips? (Sorry, I couldn’t keep it in any longer)
Nonhle, who was turning 25 on the day, was looking ultra fabulous! Love the fake hair!
She presented Zola’s award with Bra Hugh Masekela and she was obviously star struck, I would be too if I were to stand next to that man.
The fact that they did not win any award did not stop Freshly Ground from closing the show with two beautiful performances.
I don’t care about the fact that they have no trophies/awards in their cabinet but Lord knows they have touched many hearts throughout Africa and I certainly hope that they come home with that MTV Europe Award in November.
All in all, the ceremony was ok and if I were to rate it, I’d give it a 6/10 but hey, judge for yourself on Sunday!
Keep it locked to Blogiwood for more on the awards red carpet (though i think they kinda forgot to clean it first) and lots more pictures.
Oh! Apologies for the quality of the pics, Shuga ain't no photographer!
Much Blogiwood lovies!
Check out the winners here