AKA hogs South African hip hop awards limelight

Rapper, AKA scooped the most gongs, winning four awards including the Best Male artiste and Video of the Year at the recently held South African Hip Hop awards.

The awards held last week Wednesday in South Africa were the most highly anticipated event on any hip hop calendar. Taking place at The Lyric Theatre after two years at The Alex Theatre in Braamfontein, the level of the production was stepped up.

As expected, AKA and Cassper Nyovest were the big winners of the night. AKA won Best Male, Best Video, Best Collabo and MVP Of The Year. Cassper won Best Album, Most Digital Sales, and Song Of The Year. During his acceptance speech he took a jibe at his rivals saying: “I’m the only guy in this whole room who can say I’ve a gold-selling album.”

He also congratulated AKA on his success, but AKA had already left the building. Rapper, Blayze, had butter fingers when it was time to perform his hit, 20 Gold Chainz, and only managed to put two around his neck.

Freshman Of The Year award winner and rapper, Solo, blew everyone away with his performances of The Shame, Stardust and Stardust Remix which was performed with two MPC players, a keyboardist and back-up singers. Even veterans, Amunishn and Selwyn stood up for the newcomers’ performance.

Cassper Nyovest and Riky Rick had the entire theatre up on their feet with their hits, Doc Shebeleza and Boss Zonke respectively. All in all, it was a solid effort on the part of the organisers.

The theme of this year’s SA Hip Hop awards was 20 years of Freedom, and the celebration of great achievements within the local hip hop scene.

Those who missed the awards can watch them on e.tv on December 31.

And the winners are:

Album of the Year: Cassper Nyovest- Tsholofelo

Producer of the Year: Ganja Beatz

Hustler of the Year: Monde Dube

Best International Brand: Miller

Best Local Brand: Butan

Song of the Year: Cassper Nyovest – Doc Shebeleza

Best Dance Crew: Freeze Frame

Honorary Award: Emile YX

Best Collaboration: AKA ft K.O – Run Jozi