Rewarding Africa’s Music Talents

•PSquare performing

•PSquare performing

•EME artistes receiving Banky W’s Channel O award
•EME artistes receiving Banky W’s Channel O award

Africa’s best music talents gather for honours at this year’s edition of Channel O Africa Music Video Awards 

On 30 November, it was a gathering of Africa’s musical greats at The Dome of Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto, South Africa, for the 10th anniversary of Channel O Africa Music Video Awards. Shining brightly that evening amidst pyrotechnics, smoke and haze machines and special effects, was the dynamic duo of Peter and Paul Okoye, Nigeria’s singing sensation twins better known as PSquare. They were honoured with one of the classic awards of the evening: Special Recognition Award for their contribution to African music.

“We would like to dedicate this award to our late mom who supported us in achieving our dreams as musician. This is for you, Mom,” the twins said after receiving their special recognition award from South Africa pop star, Oscar ‘Oskido’ Mdlongwa.

The music pair also scooped the Most Gifted African West Video award. The twins later stole the show with a performance of some of their popular hits such as Alingo, Personally, Beautiful Onyinye and Chop My Money.

Except for the special recognition award, other awards were based on public votes. But the biggest award of the evening, Most Gifted Video of the year, which featured 12 nominees, went to EME/Starboy Records’ Wizkid for his hit song, Azonto. “This award is for all my fans across Africa who have been supporting my career and voted for me. Thank you,” said Wizkid after receiving his award.

It was double honour for EME family as Wizkid’s mentor, Banky W, also won the Most Gifted R&B Video Award for Yes/No.

Last year, Nigerian artistes dominated the awards show but this time, it was the South African artistes who came out on tops with seven awards.

Kwaito Star Professor walked away with Most Gifted Kwaito Video for his hit song Finger Prints, while hit-making duo Mafikizolo scooped the Most Gifted Dance Video for their hot single Khona.

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Oskido once again showed an incredible gift for keeping his career fresh and hot when Tsa Mandebele was named winner of the Most Gifted African South Video, just as the 2013 CHOAMVA co-host AKA won Most Gifted Hip Hop Video with his hit track Jealousy. The Most Gifted Newcomer Video award went to 2012 Idols SA winner, Khaya Mthethwa, for his first single, Move, while Most Gifted Female Video of the year was awarded to Zonke Dikana for Feelings and The Soil Ft. Zakwe, took the Most Gifted Afro Pop Video for Inkomo.

•Chidinma presenting awards
•Chidinma presenting awards

Also on the honours’ roll were Kenya’s P-Unit ft. Collo, which won two awards: Most Gifted Ragga/Dancehall Video and Most Gifted African East Video for You Guy (Dat Dendai); Zambia hip-hop group, Zone Fam won in the Most Gifted Duo/Group/Featuring Video category, and Botswana rapper Zeus was named the winner of the Most Gifted Male video of the year for #DatsWasup, which features hip-hop stars AKA and Tumi.

Hosted by Nigeria rap star, Naeto C and his South Africa counterpart, AKA, the ceremony captivated the live audience and millions of television viewers across 53 countries. “I am really excited to host this year’s awards, especially on its 10th anniversary. To be a part of this experience is totally awesome,” Naeto C told this magazine.

This year’s edition, which marked a decade of the awards, confirmed CHOAMVA’s rating as Africa’s most consistently rewarding show with superb line-up of brightest stars who delivered scintillating performances.

The show kicked off with a spectacular performance by Cassper Nyovest featuring Okmalumkooklat.

•Mafikizolo receiving their award
•Mafikizolo receiving their award

Other performing acts for the evening were Burna Boy, The Soil, Buffalo Souljah, Wizkid, AKA featuring Da L.E.S., Kcee, Lizha James, Victoria Kimani, Khuli Chana who made a dramatic entrance on a hospital bed before performing his latest single, Mnatebawen, and Mafikizolo who closed the show with their hit Khona.

—Funsho Arogundade/Johannesburg 

 

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