Artistes, beware of bogus awards

feel great to be chosen among the chosen!
I really felt proud about myself and vowed to work even harder for more recognition.

However, my cheeks sank to my boots soon after when there was a very big controversy about how the awards were held.
There was a big outcry from some quarters that contrary to what we had been made to believe the whole thing was just a set-up and bogus too.
I felt really bad and used like a pawn on other people’s missions and what made me angry was that my name had been used for some people’s personal gains. Since that day I have been very cautious and wary about some of these award ceremonies and what they really stand for.

I am talking about this after I read these so called Zimbabwe Hip-Hop Awards which were held in the capital last week.
Yeah it’s a good thing to have awards but I think they should be meaningful as well, and not be seen like some Mickey Mouse business.
The Zimbabwe Hip-Hop Awards are a noble idea that could have been more successful if there been more organisation and insight into them.

I still remember Themba Mkandla’s pet project – the Tsama Awards, which came out hot at first but fizzled out before really making an impact.
Tell me how did the organisers of this show and the judges as well come up with the nominees as well as the winners of the awards?
What really were they looking for when choosing the winners of these awards? Was it record sales, internet downloads, votes from the general public or music executives?

I am getting fed up with some of these awards for I believe they are not meant to recognise the talent we have but are mere money spinning affairs.
The ZBC Top 100 or 50 now though a bit controversial sometimes can be said to be the barometer of what people really feel in this country.
I still remember going crazy with excitement sometime ago when I heard they were going to be some dancehall and reggae awards in the country, but I was left with egg on face when it all turned out to be a hoax.

It was just some brothers in the Diaspora who were just hell-bent on making some quick dollars and came up with that catchy idea.
There is nothing wrong with individual projects but then to mislead the public that they are a national event is just not right.
Come on, we don’t need these individualist and “vain” awards projects but rather things which have a national and genuine appeal to them.

Awards should be there to spur artistes to another level, that’s why you see peeps flocking to the Grammy or Emmy Awards, though there are no monetary rewards but mere recognition and respect.
There is a long way to go before we can really say we have bona fide music local awards, which really show a transparent picture of it all.
Last week I talked about Stunner and his leaked sex-tape which has been on the mouths of so many people and how it can turn out to be a bad example to others especially the youths.

I have been receiving brickbats and bouquets from some quarters though the majority feel Stunner was a bit in the negative.
Here are some of the comments:

What’s up bro. Great article man. Responsibility remains important. I think our so-called celebrities are killing the industry by trying to be Americans. What you didn’t mention though is did Stunner distribute the video and photos or someone stole them from his house? It would be interesting to know how they ended up in the hands of the public. – Stanley Makuwe.

Thanks for your article my brother. I am a politician and really enjoy seeing Stunner perform at different galas but I am now disappointed with him. I don’t think he should be allowed to perform at these national events, ibharanzi. – 077 8 027 571.

Leave Stunner alone what he does in his home is no one’s business at all. How many people do that but just because they are not celebrities it’s not a case. Let’s look at his talent not what he does in his free time. – The Great Muta.
Anyway I rest my case!