As this function was just a media announcement for the awards, there were no famous celebs or artists so the real reason we were all there was to get the list and announce it. It was very refreshing to see KB (Krazy Boy) Ngakane, my dear Biggie buddie, and reminisce about Biggie Motherland 2007 and try to squeeze any news for Biggie Motherland 2008 from him.
Back to what I need to announce… Yolisa Phahle, Channel O’s General manager made the presentation and announcement.
Background The Channel O Video Awards are 5 years old.
The nominees are pulled from videos being sent, seen and requested on Channel O from the 1st June 2007 until 31st May 2008.
There are 14 categories; 13 public votes’ categories and a secretive “Special Recognition award”
The Best Newcomer is not necessarily a new act or artist, it is the first video received by Channel O for an artist.
The quality of videos reviewed this past year has improved; budget and content, however the challenge is not to remake videos from other countries (such as the USA) but give an original storyline and improved technology.
The Red Carpet Event The big event will happen on the
9th October at Carnival City. Things like space, air conditioning, electronic sign-in (or something like that) and VIP parking were mentioned and I remembered Shugs experience at last years awards ceremony. Shugs, this year they are going big and have a huge sponsor (Amarula) so you won’t be disappointed. AND the press release mentioned “lessons learnt from last year”
The event will be themed and will emphasise the need for Africa to Unite, so the slogan is “
Uniting Africa Through Music”. This theme was inspired by the recent xenophobic attacks.
It will be a VIP event, invites only, however there will be limited number of tickets available via Computicket for the general public.
All the nominees will be flown in, and hopefully they clear their calendars now for this
The host and performers have been confirmed, however, will be announced later. This was a bummer for me because it felt like being given a box of chocolates and when you open the box you find a half-stick of biltong. Why not announce as much as possible, not just the nominees?
Anyways, all we were given was the host is a big personality so I wondered if it was a literal or figurative “big”. Who do you think it could be?
Your part The general public votes for their fave artist in each of the 13 category via
sms (+27839208400) or on the
Channel O website (www.channelo.tv ). Keep in mind that Standard international sms rates will apply.
The voting begins on the 24th July at 17:00 until the 24th September. SO here’s the list (and my
choices or
where my vote is going because I like the song)
Categories and Nominees Best Male Video
Ikechukwu – Wind em well (NIG)
Prokid – Bampa (SA)
HHP – Music & Lights (SA) (I like the song but I agree it lacks creativity)Blac – Kwa Masela (TAN)
Simba – Lovely Day (MOZ)
Best Female Video (I couldn't care less who wins this one, don't know any of the songs and KB can do better! but I'll be patriotic and vote for her)Lizha James – Nita Mukuna Nwini (MOZ)
Lady May – Chokola (NAM)
Becca – Sugar (GHANA)
KB – Moni Fe Re (SA) Sasha – Adara (NIG)
Best Newcomer IGHO – 9 Ja Boy (NIG)
Camagwini – Imvumi (SA)
Simba – Ndono (MOZ)
Kast – Ndono (BOTS) (Nje!)Buffalo Souljah – Bubble Your Bumz (ZIM)
Best Duo or Group Jozi – Muthaland (SA)
P Square – Do Me (NIG)
Irene and Jane – Heaten Up (GHANA)
Witness ft Fid Q – Zero (TAN)
Bleksem ft Krazy Boy – How Low Can You Go (SA) (OK!! YOU Need to see me JAM to this song...!!! Hooo! It just moves my body in ways that I go LOW) Best Dance Video DJ Cleo – Sis Ng’hamba Nawe (SA) (Just to spite Arthur)Leroy – Merathe (BOTS)
DJ Vetkoek vs Mahoota – Qolo (SA)
Lady May – Chokola (NAM)
Durban’s Finest – Uyosholo Wena (SA)
Best Ragga Dancehall Video (I coudn't care who wins this one)
Buffalo Souljah – Bubble Your Bumz (ZIM) (Zim rates too high, not enuff votes may come thru)Zeus ft Stagga – Imagination (SA)
Mapaputsi – Nangu Mapaputsi (SA)
Baba Dee – Blaze (NIG)
Ofori Amponsah – Odwa (GHANA)
Best Kwaito Sunnyboy – Summertime (NAM)
Kabelo – Bongwana (SA) (Don't know the song or the vid but I love Kabelo and Arthur shouldn't win)Arthur – Sal’basalayo (SA)
Big Nuz – Ubala (SA)
The Dogg – Can You Feel It (NAM)
Best R & B Video
Danny K – Outta Control (SA)
Amani – Missing My Baby (KENYA) (I just don't like the other songs)Loyiso – I Want You (SA)
2face – True Love (NIG)
Gal Level – Falling In Love (NAM)
Best Hip Hop Video
KC fresh – Sengemenge (NIG)
Naeto C – U Know My P (NIG)
Prokid – Bampa (SA) (To make up for the Best Male Vid vote (',) )Witness ft Fid Q – Zero (TAN)
Silkour – Umsindo (SA)
Best African Southern
Freshly Ground – Pot belly (SA) (They need to win something dammit! the video is great and the song is wow and I completely agree Pot Belly needs good loving)Ziqo – Vamos Embora (MOZ)
Gal Level – Falling In Love (NAM)
HHP – Music & Lights (SA)
Taygrin – 2By2 (MALAWI)
Best African West
Becca – Sugar (GHANA) (With the below nominations in this category, she needs the vote)Ikechukwu – Wind em well (NIG)
Faze – Everyday (NIG)
D’Banj – Move Your Body (NIG)
M-Trill – Bounce (NIG)
Best African East Witness ft Fid Q – Zero (TAN)
Blac – Kwa Masela (TAN)
Amani – Missing My Baby (KENYA)
Azari – Oliwenge (UGANDA) (Don't know the song or vid but Uganda needs to win something)Video of the Year Freshly Ground – Pot belly (SA)
P Square – Do Me (NIG) (The video looks high budget and has some content. I adore P Square since I saw and met him at the Biggie show AND he was cheated out of a nomination for the Best African West award)HHP – Music & Lights (SA)
Ziqo – Vamos Embora (MOZ)
Ikechukwu – Wind em well (NIG)
Special Recognition Award Not announced
Before Shugs makes another controversial statement about the winners, go vote!!