In true legendary theme, ‘legends don’t stop they ask what’s next?’ and the nominees awards truely attested to that as Robbie Malinga (still goin’ strong) and others came in droves to witness the ‘legendary’ fete.
The awards entering its 15 edition, will for the first time feature new African category.
Yes, (un)fortunately, it will be contested by only Nigerian artists-as host of the evening Phat Joe-alluded gleefuly.
Did I hear someone say Bonang Matheba, should or shouldn’t be happy, having briefly dated D’Banj. That’s a story for another day.
The eighteen categories each winner pockets a cool R100 000, the first to happen in the music awards in SA. Yes, thanks to sponsors, of course!
Lance Stehr, Muthaland/Ghetto Ruff boss, whose newcomer artists Nathi Mankayi, bagged more than three nominations says he’s proud of the boy because he did not make his poor background an excuse.
“He’s gone through a lot such as being arrested after being made to share a pair of shoes with her sister.”
According to Lance, the boy grew tired of this unfortunate upbringing thus decided to make a plan, that’s where he was arrested.
He was held at Maclear police station (Eastern Cape) where he and friends managed to escape.
“After escaping from the holding cells I ran to Jozi but decided in 2003 to hand myself over,” says Nathi Mankayi.
In 2006 after awaiting trial he was sentenced to eight years imprisonment, four years suspended.
“As a result of that, Nathi has grown strong but personally, he’s still grounded. That’s what I tell him always because fame can either make or break you,” says Lance.
On the nominations-of which he hosted a party two days after the nominees announcement- Lance says this is only the beginning. Look out for him.
Back to the awards, the Universal Records recorded more artists for the nominees than any other labels.
The public have honours for voting for their favourite artist.
Here are the nominees
Song of the Year
Black Coffee – ‘We Dance Again’
Nathi – ‘Nomvula’
Price Kaybee – Better Days’
DJ Shimza – ‘Akulalwa’
DBN Nyts – ‘Shumaya’
Riky Rick – ‘Boss Zonke’
Heavy K – ‘Umoya’
DJ Ganyani – ‘Talk to Me’
DJ Sphectacula & DJ Naves – ‘KOTW Anthem’
Prince Kaybee – ‘Better Days’
Best Album
Nathi – ‘Buyelekhaya’
Black Coffee – ‘Piece of Me’
Cassper Nyovest – ‘Refiloe’
Prince Kaybe – ‘Better Days’
Riky Rick – ‘Family Values’
Best Music Video
DA Les – ‘P.A.I.D’
Donald – ‘What Goes Around’
Tumi FT. Busiswa – ‘Visa’
DJ Sphectacula & DJ Naves – ‘KOTW Anthem’
Emtee – ‘Roll Up’
Best Remix
Kelly Khumalo – ‘Asine (African Soul Remix).
DJ Sliqe – ‘Do Like I Do (Remix)’
Emtee – ‘Roll Up (Re-Up)’
Tresor – ‘Never Let Me Go (Mobi Dixon Remix)’
AKA – ‘Baddest (Remix)’
Best New Artist
Nathi – ‘Buyelekhaya’
Emtee – ‘Avery’
Prince Kaybee – ‘Better Days’
Riky Rick – ‘Family Values’
Fifi Cooper – ’20FIFI’
Best Hit Single
AKA FT. Burnaboy, Khuli Chana & Yanga – ‘Baddest’
L-Tido – ‘Dlala Ka Yona’
Kwesta – ‘Nomayini’ WTF – Nomusa’
Shekhinah & Kyle Deutsch – “Back to the Beach’
Best Collaboration
DJ Sliqe ft. JR, OKmalumkoolkat & WTF –
‘iLife’ AKA FT. Burna Boy, Khuli Chana & Yanga – ‘Baddest’
Major League DJs ft. Cassper Nyovest, Riky Rick & Malumkoolkat ‘Slyza Tsotsi’
DJ Spactacula & DJ Naves ft. Professor – ‘Kings of the weekend Anthena’
Heavy K ft. Professor & Mpumi – ‘Umoya’
Best Kwaito Album
Big Nuz – ‘For The Fans’
DBN Nytes – ‘Believe’
DJ Bongz – ‘Game Changer’
Kabelo Mabalane – ‘Immotal Vol 3’
Best Duo or Group Album
DBN Nyts – ‘Believe’ Deep XCape –‘Pandora’s Box’
Sphestacula & DJ Naves – ‘Kings Of The Weekend’
Junior Taurus & Lady Zamar – ‘Cotton Candy’
Mi Casa – ‘Home Sweet Home’
Best Urban Jazz Album
Benjamin Jephta – ‘Homecoming’ Judith Sephuma –
‘One Word’ Mpumi Dlamini – ‘Mpumi Dlamini’
Nduduzo Makhathini – ‘Listening to the Ground’
Nomfundo Xaluva – ‘From Now On’
Best Male Album
Nathi – ‘Buyelekhaya’
Black Coffee – ‘Piece of Me’
Cassper Nyovest – ‘Refiloe’
Prince Kaybee –
‘Better Days’ Riky Rick – ‘Family Values’
Best Female Album
Maleh – ‘You Make My Heart Go’
Zonke – ‘Work of Heart’
Zahara – ‘Country Girl’
Thiwe – ‘Soul Therapy’
Fifi Copper – ’20FIFI’
Best Hip Hop Album
Cassper Nyovest – ‘Refiloe’
Riky Rick – ‘Family Values’
Emtee – ‘Avery’
Fifi Cooper – ’20FIFI’
Zakwe – ‘Impande’
Best Dance Album
Mobi Dixon – ‘Tribal Soul Special Edition’
Heavy K – ‘Respect The Drumboss 2015’
DJ Sphectacula & DJ Naves – ‘Kings Of The Weekend’
Black Coffee – ‘Piece of Me’
Prince Kaybee – ‘Better Days’
Best R&B Single
Zonke – ‘Reach It’
Nathi – ‘Nomvula’
Maleh – ‘Feels SO Good’
Cici – ‘Runaway’
Vincent Bones – ‘My lady’
Best Urban Gospel Album
Ntokozo Mbambo – ‘Spirit and Life’
Andile ka Majola – ‘Chapter 7’
Malusi Mbokazi – ‘Ngisize Nkosi’
Ayanda Ntazi – ‘Udumo’
Worship House – ‘True Worship 2015 (Live)’
Best African Pop Album
Nathi – ‘Buyelekhaya’
Zahara – ‘Country Girl’
Zonke – ‘Work of Heart’
Maleh – ‘You make my heart go’
Kabomo – ‘Sekusile’
Best Compilation Album
DJ Fresh – ‘Fresh House Flava Vol 18’
DJ Kanunu – ‘Soul Meditation 2′
Various Artists – ‘It’s Not A Party Without Us
999 Music – ‘Summer Ya Di Summer’
Metro FM Station Manager Sibongile Mtyali says: “The message that we are trying to send as Metro FM is that, we are not going to talk about xenophobic attack incidents, the conscious decision we’ve taken is that we are going to celebrate the fact that as Africans we’re going to embrace our Africanness.”
The KZN Government has also extended the contract to host the awards for further three-years, according to Desmond Golding- HOD from the department of Economic and Tourism.
The much awaited awards goes down on February 27 from Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Center, Durban.
